Help us Change a Child’s Life

Operation Smile is an international medical charity delivering free surgery to children suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate.

A cleft condition is more than just a visual condition. It impacts every aspect of a person’s life. You can’t eat or drink properly because of the hole in the roof of your mouth. You can’t go to school because your classmates call you names. Children and adults live in the shadows of their communities.

However, it can take as little as 45 minutes and cost just €180/190CHF/£150 to provide surgery on an Operation Smile medical mission – this can change a life forever. As our podcast partner, Operation Smile is hoping to make a worldwide impact and change numerous lives.

Help us reach our target of changing hundreds of children’s lives by donating below:

Operation Smile United Kingdom is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in the UK (No. 04317039) and is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1091316). Please click here to read Operation Smile’s full privacy policy.

Our Founder’s Story

As Founder of EMEA Recruitment, it is an honour and privilege to partner with Operation Smile.

I was born with a cleft lip and palate, so the mission of Operation Smile is something I have a strong personal connection with.

I was lucky enough to have the expertise of great NHS dentists and surgeons to work on my case. 

Through a series of procedures from birth to 13-years-old, the gratitude I have for every single person that worked with me is beyond words. Coupled with the great love and support of my parents, family and friends, any challenges I faced were overcome.

It is not an understatement to say that the dentists and surgeons that helped me were life-changers.

It’s not only about the actual operations that take place; the support and care post/pre-operation are beyond value and, from personal experience, I can only say that I would not be the confident, happy person I am today without this support.

I can’t compare the challenges I faced with those of the young children Operation Smile help. All I can say is that, from my experience over the years, I changed from being afraid my uniqueness would define me, to embracing the fact that it defined me. 

As with many teenagers who are unique, I experienced a number of tough years at school. I didn’t know it then, but the defence mechanism I defaulted to in those situations (to laugh and smile rather than fight) was and is one of the main attributes I think people would highlight about me to this day. This has resulted in a very positive outlook on life.

As I reflect with gratitude on life currently, so much I have now has come from my positive attitude, my drive and determination to prove any of the doubters from my earlier years wrong, and let me repeat, with the great love and support of my parents, family and friends. You can see this in my smile.

When I read about the challenges some children and parents across the world have to endure to receive the surgical care they need, and the amazing team at Operation Smile that can help bring safe cleft surgery to them, I knew I wanted to help in any way I could.

I want to help children experience the support, care and skill that I experienced on my journey, and hope we can do this with Operation Smile.”
 

Paul Toms
Founder
EMEA Recruitment

Read More Stories

If you want to hear more about the life-changing work carried out by Operation Smile, follow the link below to read more stories:

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