Southern California Chapter

WHERE THERE IS A SMILE

THERE IS HOPE.

In February of 1999 Operation Smile began the largest-ever surgical mission dedicated to correcting cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformitiesÖthe World Journey of Hope.  From Feb. 3 through April 14, Operation Smile‰s volunteers provided reconstructive surgery for some of the world‰s neediest children, bringing new smiles and new hope from Honduras to China to the United States.  The 9 week mission brought together 3,000 volunteers from around the globe while 250,000 pounds of medical supplies were shipped to 18 countries allowing 5,000 children to smile for the first time.  Through World Journey of Hope ‰99 educational symposiums and donations of medical equipment, Operation Smile is continuing its efforts to build self-sufficiency š to make it possible for children around the world to receive care, in their own countries, 365 days of the year.

WORLD JOURNEY OF HOPE PARTNER COUNTRIES

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

In 16 years, we have been to 180 sites in 17 countries.

OUR CURRENT MISSION MODEL

Since 1982, Operation Smile has treated more than 45,000 children in 17 countries and the United States.  A typical Operation Smile mission means:

• 2 weeks
• 40-50 volunteers
• 10,000 pounds of medical equipment
• 150-200 children treated

Yet, with all the successes and happy families around the world, still, we turn away 2 out of every 3 children due to a lack of equipment.  To treat more children, Operation Smile has created...

A NEW MISSION MODEL

World Journey of Hope will retain the best of the existing mission structure while providing solutions to address the needs of those children who go untreated.  It is a model designed to help us treat more children for fewer dollars.  Our goal is the empowerment of local health professionals so that patients are treated not once a year, but 365 days a year.

LEAVING BEHIND A TRACK OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY

• Supplies and Equipment - One operating room of equipment will be left at each site in each country.
• Education - Computers will be donated to each site to link to curriculum at major universities in the United States.

In return, the local hospitals make a promise to treat one child per day for free.   World Journey of Hope headquarters will stay in contact with its new hospital partners to monitor their progress.

THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE

1. Change the lives of 5,000 children - the change is immediate-just 45 minutes in surgery; we have the cure in hand.
2. Creates self-sufficiency - and provides each site with modern equipment and the commitment from that hospital to operate on more indigent children for free.
3. Establishes a "university without walls" - develops telemedicine and electronic capability in partner countries and creates the opportunity for their medical professionals to be educated by some of the top physicians in the medical field.  Curriculum will be transported electronically around the world.

For a complete listing of medical mission locations and dates click here.  For information on how to support World Journey of Hope click here.

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Our web site is continually updated with new information.  Please check back soon for the latest news articles, missions and events.

Send mail to OperationSmileLA@surgery.usc.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: December 08, 1999