“In essence, we change the family.
We give a new life to the brothers and sisters,
the mother and the father.
We also, by doing that, give a new life to the village.
By doing that, we give a new life to the country.
By doing that, we give a new life to the world.”
- Dr. WILLIAM P. MAGEE, Jr.
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman
OPERATION SMILE INTERNATIONAL
Since 1982, through the help of dedicated medical volunteers and generous partners — has provided more than 2 MILLION PATIENT EVALUATIONS and over 200,000 FREE SURGERIES for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities AROUND THE WORLD. As one of the most prominent children’s charities in the world with a presence in over 60 COUNTRIES, we are able to heal children’s smiles and bring hope for a better future.
On NOVEMBER 8 to DECEMBER 2, 2012, Operation Smile will undertake another milestone as it celebrates its 30th year!
Operation Smile will celebrate with a special homecoming mission to the Philippines to give back to the country that gave birth to what is now a global children’s medical charity organization. It aims to provide free life medical treatments to at least 6,000 Filipino children and young adults in 24 days through 10 dental and cleft surgical missions sites in various parts of the country, namely, Koronadal City, Cavite, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos, Silay City, Manila, Naga and Pampanga.
2012 Program Plan
Date | Activity | Minimum Surgical Objective | Area Coverage |
Jan 25 – 29 | Local Cleft Surgical Mission (Mindoro) | 40 | Mindoro Island and Batangas |
Mar 2 – 10 | International Cleft Surgical MissionIloilo) ( | 150 | Panay Island (Iloilo, Capiz, Antique and Aklan) and Negros Occidental |
Mar 16 – 23 | International Craniofacial Mission (Davao City) | 10 | Mindanao |
Mar 22-24 | NCR Local Cleft Mission (Manila) | 50 | NCR, Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite |
May | Local Cleft Surgical Mission (La Union) | 100 | Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan |
Oct 25-31 | International Dental and Cleft Surgical Missions (South Cotabato) | 5,000 dental 30 cleft | South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat |
Nov 8 – 18 (1st Leg) Nov 23-Dec 1 (2nd Leg) | 30th Anniversary Simultaneous Missions | ||
San Fernando, Pampanga | 150 | Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac | |
Manila | 150 | NCR, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal | |
Cavite | 150 | Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque | |
Naga City | 150 | Quezon and Bicol Region | |
Bacolod City | 150 | Region VI (Western Visayas) | |
Cebu City | 200 | Region VII (Central Visayas) Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) | |
Cagayan De Oro City | 150 | Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) Region X (Northern Mindanao) Region XIII (Caraga) | |
General Santos City | 150 | Region XII (Socsargen) Region XI (Davao Region) ARMM | |
Year-round | Manila Cleft Care Center | 50 | Luzon |
Mindanao Cleft Center | 150 | Mindanao | |
TOTAL TREATMENTS | 6,880 | 15 missions | |
THE NEED FOR OPERATION SMILE
As proud as we are of the many children we have helped here at home and abroad, sadly, twice as many are left behind. Each year, ten thousands of children who need help have to be turned away. It should not be this way. This is why we continue to battle the growing backlog of children who suffer with correctable deformities. This is why we set such high goals for ourselves each year, why we always stretch to the absolute extent of our capacity, and why we are always seeking like-minded humanitarians – people who generously support our spirit and our missions. It is estimated that one in every 500 children born in the Philippines will have a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
CONCLUSION
Children who must live with facial deformities live in the darkest corners of the world. They suffer in seclusion. Many children withdraw from school, and withdraw from the world. A 45-minute operation can change a child’s life forever and restore their dignity.
Operation Smile encourages private and public institutions to join its efforts to reach out to these impoverished Filipino children through a local mission.
OSP may not be able to fix the economic woes of Philippines, but together, the country can reach out to these forgotten children. To repair a child’s face is to rehabilitate not only their smile, but also their spirit. To repair a child’s face is to give that child an opportunity to go to school, to eat a meal, to speak so others can understand. Once the physical aspect of a deformity is treated, it allows for the emotional healing to begin.
It is an investment that will last a lifetime in the face of each child. It is how OSP is “changing lives, one smile at a time”.
“Alone we can do little; together we can do so much.” - Anonymous
CLEFT LIP/PALATE SURGERY: COST PER CHILD
Item | Amount | |
Volunteer-Related Expenses (23.3%) | Php 3,500.00 | |
Accommodations | 1,340.00 | |
Meals | 1,680.00 | |
Transportation | 480.00 | |
Patient/Surgery-Related Expenses (76.7%) | 11,000.00 | |
Patient Mapping & Pre-screening | 200.00 | |
Cargo Expenses (Medical Equipment) | 300.00 | |
Medical Supplies | 4,000.00 | |
Anesthesia Medicines | 2,000.00 | |
Laboratory | 700.00 | |
OR Fee | 3,000.00 | |
Post Op Follow Up Services | 800.00 | |
TOTAL | Php 15,000.00 | |
Building Awareness and Acceptance for Children Born with Clefts
Building awareness for the cause and social impact of clefting on children and the community, as well as informing the public about the programs and services of Operation Smile are the core objectives of the organization in its Information, Education and Communications (IEC) Program.
OSP makes use of all available media to reach a wider audience.
Print
OSP events and programs were covered by the top broadsheets in the country – Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror. Likewise, People Asia also published a feature story on the founders in their visit last November in its February-March 2012 issue.
Radio
During the kick-off of the 30th Anniversary celebrations, Mellow 94.7 and 92.3 News FM were among our supportive media partners. Radio Veritas had also provided support in terms reaching out to beneficiaries by announcing mission schedules in their program.
TV
OSP was featured on Headstart and Ako and Simula through Ms. Karen Davila, a long-time supporter of the organization. Likewise, the TVC created by McCann Worldwide for OSP in its continuing commitment was shown on the following programs: Umagang Kay Ganda, Dateline Philippines.Velvet Entertainment , Spotlight Marathon. The Sing-Off. The Good Wife, Life Unexpected, Myx Presents, Myx News Mellow Myx, Myx Daily Top Ten, Born to be Wild, Unang Hirit, Rescue, Tunay na Buhay, I-Witness, Reporter's Notebook.
Social Media
Operation Smile Philippines has also actively engaged its stakeholders through the use of social networking sites such as Facebook (Operation Smile Philippines) and Twitter (OpSmilePhil). This has allowed the organization to reach to a wider and more diverse group of people from students to professionals with discussion and topics from patient referrals and how to donate.
Special Events
OSP considers special events as an effective way of getting direct involvement from the public. In 2011, there were three major events that were organized for the benefit of raising awareness for the programs and services of Operation Smile in the Philippines
Painthaton
Another Paintathon event was organized last March 19, 2011 at the residence of Operation Smile Philippines' Trustee Mr. Sanjiv Vohra. As in the previous years, the Vohra family takes the lead in putting together the activity for the benefit of Operation Smile Philippines' beneficiaries.
The Paintathon (Painting Marathon) is a whole-day activity where kids and even adults spend the morning painting on what makes them smile. The paintings are then auctioned off in the evening where proceeds are donated to Operation Smile Philippines.
The 500 Smile Run
Operation Smile Philippines kicked-off the 30th anniversary celebration by organizing “The 500 Smile Run” last November 6, 2011 at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila City and November 27, 2011 at the Rizal Park in Davao City. The event was aimed to increase awareness for Operation Smile and create a venue for direct public involvement and support for Operation Smile’s cause.
The 500 Smile Run was presented by PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. and was sponsored by Puma, Chris Sports, Nestle Philippines, Dole Asia, Havaianas, Century Properties, Futuretainment, McCann Worldgroup, Intercare, Whirlpool, Fujidenzo, St. Lukes Medical Center, National Parks and Development Center, iAcademy, Without Limits. Media partners were Business Mirror, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, TV5, Digital REM and Mellow 94.7.
The event had 3km, 5km, 10km and 16km race routes and also had a special 500meter dash for children.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
ROBERTO J. MANZANO
President and Executive Director
Direct Line: (+632) 811-9738
Mobile: (+63915) 709 0436
or
ZENA B. BERNARDO
Deputy Executive Director
Telephone & Fax : (+632) 811-9739
Mobile: (+63917) 481 4404
-Press Release-
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