Operation Smile Philippines 2011

Nov 16-19, 2011. Operation Smile conducts a surgery mission at the Ospital ng Makati. The first mission of the Operation Smile started 29 years ago in Naga City. The mission in Makati has a very successful turnout with 70 surgeries (and more) and 8 obturators from the 139 applicants that were screened. Applicants came in from all over the metro and some as far from Pangasinan to Zamboanga del Sur. Volunteers from all over the country lend their expertise as well including doctors and nurses from Naga to Davao City. We would like to thank our sponsors and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly with smiles on their faces to achieve our mission, that is to bring hope to these children and adults and give them the chance to smile, once again.

Hundreds of people line up to be screened for cleft or palate surgery at Ospital ng Makati.

Patient number 1 waiting for his turn.

Ms. Zena Bernardo constantly updates the parents who were patiently waiting in the intense afternoon heat. 

Peak a boo.

Ms. Jennifer Urbano, 1 yr old, at the screening room.

Mr. Jonar de Vera, 5 yrs old, hides under his grandpa's shirt at the screening room.

The future PIT volunteer of Operation Smile.

Merry Joy, 17, from Zamboanga del Sur, have her lip check by a volunteer speech therapist.  

Before doing the cleft surgery. 

Mom gives comfort to her child after the surgery. 

Ms. Khate Angeline Prado, 4 yrs old, playing with bubbles as she waits for her operation the next day. This will be her 2nd operation. A brave and smart lady.

These packets which included a magazine, cereal, toothpaste and more is handed out to patients at the patient's ward.

Before surgery.

Ms. Khate Prado does not want to talk after having palatoplasty but uses her eyebrows as her new method of communication.

Jolo who is tired and hurt is relieved by his mom.