Operation Smile Brings Smiles to Kids

Operation Smile is such an amazing charity. Operation Smile helps correct Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in babies.  It’s a congenital birth defect that hinders baby’s ability to suck and eat and even speak. When the baby is in their mother’s womb, sometimes their mouths or lips do not form and there is a hole.  Babies born with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate do not have the ability to smile. Parents are not able to see their baby’s first smile as other parents do.  1 in 10 children with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate don’t get to celebrate their first birthday. It is incredibly sad, thankfully Operation Smile is there to save the day. Operation Smile goes to third world countries where doctors are not an option. It’s a really simple and inexpensive surgery that they just cannot afford. It’s roughly $240 per surgery, and while that doesn’t sound like much to us, in some countries it may as well be ten thousand dollars.  Babies with Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip will experience ear problems and dental problems too. Thankfully it is curable and they can live normal lives. 1 in 700 babies will have Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate. That is so heart breaking because so many babies won’t get surgery without Operation Smile. Operation Smile needs our help, it takes a village to help others.  There are many volunteers and doctors who volunteer their time to travel to third world countries to help these precious little babes.

Campus Book Rentals has teamed up with Operation Smile to help donate smiles. For every text book you rent, Campus Book Rentals donates to Operation Smile. I think that’s so wonderful. So, if you are in college or have a child in college, check out Campus Book Rentals and consider renting text books from them and help support Operation Smile.

For more information and to learn about what they do, please visit Operation Smile

Helping Children Smile with Operation Smile

Every child deserves to smile. A smile is a great joy to see. Smiles make you feel better when you are down. It makes others feel better when they are down. A smile is the universal hello. You don't have to understand the language the other person speaks. You don't even have to speak. The shyest person can smile. A smile says it all. Unfortunately, some babies are born with a Cleft Lip or a Cleft Palette. It is a congenital birth defect that happens in 1 in 700 babies. 1 in 10 babies with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate will die before their first birthday. When the baby is formed in their mother's womb their mouth or lip does not form properly leaving a hole. Babies with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate have trouble sucking, eating and talking. It can also lead to ear infections and problems with their teeth.  It is definitely curable through surgery. My sister's best friend in high school's little brother was born with a Cleft Lip. He had the surgery and I didn't know until my sister told me. The surgery is pretty easy but not everyone can afford it.

Thankfully there is an organization called Operation Smile who correct Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate for those who can't afford it. They go to a lot of Third World Countries where a simple surgery is not an option. Many have never even seen a doctor.  Operation Smile not only helps with providing the surgery but they also provide other services and information about nutrition and emotional support.  The surgery costs typically $240 per child. Operation Smile has a bunch of volunteers including doctors to provide these children with a smile. They rely on donations from caring individuals and businesses. I know that Campus Book Rentals is donating a minimum of 80 surgeries by June 2014. They donate to Operation Smile for every text book rented.  I think that Operation Smile is an amazing charity and Campus Book Rentals is awesome for supporting their cause.