2021 Summer U-Lead! Register Now!
https://my.raceresult.com/174954/info
August 19, 20, 21 Fee 100 AED – and you get a T-Shirt!
Hosted via Zoom OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS AGED 12-19
Join us at the U-Lead where you will have a chance to hear from and team up with volunteers coming from different countries!
The Operation Smile UAE student club at GEMS Cambridge International School – Abu Dhabi celebrates another successful year and invites you to get involved with Student Programs next year too!
June mission at Healthpoint, Abu Dhabi
Operation Smile UAE held a successful medical mission at Healthpoint, Abu Dhabi on June 4&5. Nine patients received surgery to correct their cleft conditions during two days of surgeries. We would like to thank the great team of volunteer medical professionals who donated their time to give our patients the best possible care as well as the student volunteers who assisted the OSUAE staff and who helped the patients and their families.
Patients who were operated on at Healthpoint in December 2020 were also invited back to Healthpoint for their six month check-ups.
Until we can open our in office book sale to the public again we are selling a selection of books on Facebook. Please join the OSUAE Online Book Sale group to see our book selection and reserve for pick-up and payment at the Operation Smile UAE office
All proceeds go towards providing free, safe surgeries to children with cleft conditions.
ABU DHABI, 27th September, 2020 — Operation Smile UAE collaborated with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of Mubadala’s healthcare network and a COVID-19 free hospital over the weekend to provide life-changing surgery for eight children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
Despite the extra challenges posed by COVID-19, the hospital continued to support Operation Smile for the fourth year in a row. Medical volunteers from across the UAE travelled from other Emirates to arrive at the facility and provide surgeries in a completely safe environment.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi volunteers worked alongside Operation Smile medical volunteers to transform a floor of the hospital into a pediatric unit to receive the pre-screened patients. Eight children received surgery and were discharged on Sunday 27th September after final checks.
The annual initiative began in 2017 and could not happen without the support and approval of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. The Marriott Hotel group extended support for the second year in a row by providing hotel accommodation for medical volunteers from Al Ain, Sharjah and Dubai and patients travelling from the Northern Emirates.
Jiangyang, father of 10-month-old Rigzang, said, “At first, my wife and I thought it would be a longshot, knowing how many children out there need help just like our son. Then one day, we received a call informing us that he was being considered for surgery and we were simply filled with hope and joy. A few months later, our son was undergoing screening to prepare for his surgery. This past weekend has been an emotional rollercoaster. We feel like a huge burden has been lifted and we are genuinely grateful to everyone who took part in making this happen.”
“Bringing hope to families who have felt despair is heart-warming. Seeing a child’s life change after surgery is indescribable. We will never forget the hug from a grateful parent. Thanks to the dedication of our amazing volunteers, the Department of Health, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and The Ritz Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi, Marriot Downtown Abu Dhabi, and Aloft Abu Dhabi we have extended hope to eight more families and hopefully many more in the future,” said Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director, Operation Smile UAE.
“Putting a smile on a child’s face is a feeling beyond words,” said Dr. Mahdi Shkoukani, volunteer and staff physician at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Surgical Subspecialties Institute. “We all are so pleased with the results of the surgeries, which will help these children live healthier, happier lives. Our team has been working around the clock to ensure that patients and their families receive the care they need.”
Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 270,000 free surgeries to children and young adults in more than 60 countries around the world.
When we first met Vaviroa and Nambina on our medical mission to Tamatave, Madagascar, the six- and two-year-old sisters shyly hid behind their parents and barely said a word. Years of bullying taught these young girls that the world didn’t want to see their smiles.
The girls’ parents knew that because both of their daughters were born with cleft, they would suffer deeply their entire lives — experiencing social ostracism, bullying, even physical pain — but surgery was out of the question. They had never been able to take their daughters to see a doctor, let alone afford two surgeries.
But that all changed this past fall, when Vaviroa and Nambina both received surgeries to fix their clefts — thanks to generous people like you.
As we prepare to go back to Madagascar this week, we hope you’ll take a moment to watch the inspiring video below about these brave sisters and their incredible journey.