Sometimes, having hope in your heart is the only thing that keeps you going. But hope is often laced with fear – because it’s a fragile thing, easily dashed. These are the emotions you see on the face of 41-year-old Marie Kalume, as she waits to hear if Operation Smile can help her little girl.

15 years ago in Madagascar, volunteer paediatric anaesthesiologist, Clover-Ann Lee experienced her first surgical programme as an Operation Smile volunteer. She arrived carrying more than just medical equipment. She was navigating a difficult chapter in her own life …

Being blessed with twins should have been a joyful celebration. But for Athandwa’s mother, those early months were overshadowed by worry.

It’s now a year since 36-year-old Zivezile Nojamanga received his life-changing surgery from Operation Smile – and the difference is quite remarkable.

Six years have passed since Tshepo Manetja received cleft surgery through Operation Smile. But it still seems like a miracle to him.

Little Rorisang was born with a bilateral cleft lip, and had previously been turned away from our surgical programme – not once, but twice – owing to a heart condition.

After six long years of waiting and hoping, Kgomotso can finally just be a normal little boy – thanks to surgery he received from Operation Smile.

Kayol’s story is testament to a father’s love and how faith and perseverance combined to change a child’s life.

Before her cleft surgery, Akhanyile didn’t smile much. And even though she’s only two, she often reached up to cover her mouth with her hand. She knew she was different.

If you’ve been following the story of 2-year-old Ntlelo on our website, you’ll be delighted to hear that she was one of 22 children and adults who received life changing surgery last weekend

Even though there is a history of cleft palate in their family, when little Seipati was born, his parents didn’t realise he was affected.

When Ndzalo was born, his mother cried; she already had an older child with a physical disability, and thought she was being punished by God.

Three years after receiving cleft lip surgery from Operation Smile Ghana, Iddrisah shows off his new smile.