Operation Smile Australia is a medical charity that provides free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other craniofacial deformities.
Australian medical volunteers dedicate their time and expertise on missions to provide exceptional surgical care to children around the world.
Thanks to the generosity shown by donors and supporters, we provide surgeries to thousands of children per year.
Our work is focused in supporting our neighbours in the Asia region.We believe in sustainable change; achieved through education of local medical personnel and communities as well as research into prevention. Operation Smile helps to fill the gap in providing access to safe, well-timed surgeries by partnering with hospitals, governments and ministries of health, and donating much-needed supplies and equipment to surgical sites around the world.
An energetic and chatty 3-year-old, Bui loved preschool. However, Bui’s classmates would sometimes deal him cruel reminders of his condition by calling him “sut,” a derogatory term used in Vietnam describing someone born with a cleft lip.
Operation Smile Australia medical volunteers performed a life-changing procedure to repair Bui’s cleft. Now, the bullying and teasing he once endured is a thing of the past.
Since his surgery, Bui’s overall health has improved and so has his ability to speak clearly. His parents are relieved that his future is bound to be brighter! Bui’s story of hope and determination inspires us to keep working. We are committed to identifying and treating each childlike Bui. Together, we can reach out to them to bring change and hope to their lives through free, safe surgeries.
World Care
Operation Smile Australia is also proud to run the World Care Program. World Care patients are identified at screenings on our missions overseas. Their conditions are serious, such that the treatment required generally cannot be undertaken in their home country so patients are brought toAustralia to receive the best surgical care possible.Children are waiting for their chance, and we need your help to reach them.
