This deformity tarnishes their smile, and this is where Operation Smile comes in.
Now established for over 28 years in 50 countries, Operation Smile goes around the world providing free surgeries to children and adults to correct their cleft lips and cleft palates. To date, they have restored the smile of more than 150,000 children.
Operation Smile UAE began in January 2011 when Her Highness Sheikha Alyazzia Bint Saif Al Nahyan read about the organisation in a UK newspaper and decided she wanted to raise awareness about its work in the UAE.
“Operation Smile UAE is a non-government organization, registered under the Ministry of Social Affairs in January 2011,” explains Kyla Hawke, the Student and Community Volunteer Coordinator. “Our role is to raise funds to provide free surgeries to children around the world, with a primary focus on treating facial deformities, especially cleft lips and cleft palates.”
So far, over 24 local schools and universities have joined hands for this wonderful cause.
The American International School has organised barbeques to raise money for the campaign, and recently started a bracelet-making project.
“I bought a bracelet because of the videos I saw in class,” said freshman Farida Rady. “I really want to support this cause.”
Several universities including Zayed University, New York University Abu Dhabi, The Petroleum Institute and Sharjah University have also created their own activities to raise money for Operation Smile UAE.
We are born with numerous blessings that we take for granted every single day. Take some time out to help those that don’t have those blessings, and be rewarded with the new smile of a beautiful child.
HOW TO HELP
Visit Operation Smile’s website http://www.operationsmile.org and make a donation or get your school, if they haven’t heard about it yet, to start raising money and awareness.
New volunteers can join Kyla at a drop-in meeting on Tuesday June 5 from 6.00-9.00 pm at Café De La Paix in Marina Mall Abu Dhabi to learn more about the organisation and how you can help.
