Quick Facts

• It takes as little as 45 minutes to repair a cleft lip.
  
  
• A cleft lip surgery costs 2,400 Birr / $240 USD).
  
  
• A contribution of 7,500.00 Birr (USD $750) or greater will support not only the surgical cost for one child, but also the crucial medical education and training that is the hallmark of Operation Smile.
  
  
• Children with facial deformities who do not receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and psychological problems.
  
  
• Since Operation Smile’s first mission to Ethiopia in December, 2005, medical volunteers have provided free medical evaluations to more than 1,300 patients and performed life-changing surgery to more than 700 children.
  
  
• Operation Smile in Ethiopia was established in October, 2005 and certified by the Federal Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Justice as a registered NGO.
  
  
• Operation Smile in Ethiopia currently operates in three sites in Ethiopia; Addis Ababa, Jimma and Tigray.
  
  
• Operation Smile’s humanitarian work helps children by correcting their facial disfigurements through the gift of medicine and surgery – a change that brings about a more positive life along with a healthier self-image.
  
  
• Since Operation Smile‘s first mission to the Philippines in 1982, the organization coordinates more than 30 Medical Mission sites in 26 countries annually.
  
  
• Since 1982, more than 115,000 children and young adults have been treated by thousands of volunteers worldwide and thousands of healthcare professionals have been trained globally.
  
  
• Operation Smile has one of the world’s largest volunteer networks, utilizing more than 5,000 medical and non-medical professionals around the world.
  
  
• Operation Smile provides care for children in 51 countries, 9 resource countries raise funds and provide medical volunteers, while 42 countries receive education and training programs and conduct surgeries.