MISSION SITES: Santa Cruz

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1999

The Banco de Credito partnership continues to be the strongest fund-raising and corporate partnership for Operation Smile Bolivia. For the second year, employees of the Banco de Credito, the largest bank in Bolivia, raised money for the Foundation and organized a nationwide public awareness campaign by placing posters and money collection kits in its banks. In addition, the amount of money its employees raised was matched by the bank. The “Night of Laughter and Smiles,” held annually in Santa Cruz, involves comedians doing stand-up comedy acts and skits to raise money for Operation Smile Bolivia’s programs. Now in its eighth year, the Foundation is planning its first local medical mission.

MISSION SITES: Fortaleza

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1997

Operation Smile Brazil’s focus on growing its programs and volunteer base has resulted in increasing numbers of Brazilian children receiving life-changing surgeries. With four local medical missions, combined with education programs in Natal, Belem, Joinville and Barbalha, Brazilian volunteers have treated more than 140 patients. Operation Smile Brazil launched its highly successful first six-month Post-operative Follow-up Care Program in Fortaleza, where patients who were treated during the international medical mission received follow-up exams by specialists in the fields of plastic surgery, speech patholgy, nutrition, dentistry and social services. The Foundation has formalized its new Medical Council and launched a partnership with the University of São Paulo for a genetics research study on clefting. In December, Operation Smile Brazil also helped sponsor the second annual Brazil Cleft Lip and Palate Congress in São Paulo. Nivaldo Alonso, plastic surgeon and medical director of Operation Smile Brazil, was awarded the Dr. Gilberto Mariño-Contreras International Medical Volunteer Award. This Operation Smile award honors an outstanding medical professional who has demonstrated exemplary service to others and devoted their personal and professional lives to fostering the values of leadership, education and volunteerism.

MISSION SITES: Phnom Penh

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2002

Operation Smile Cambodia continues to focus on building its volunteer medical team and providing them with medical education training opportunities through Operation Smile’s Critical Nursing Skills Training Program and Biomedical Technician Training Programs as well as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses. With the help of Operation Smile volunteers from China and support from Operation Smile headquarters, the Foundation conducted its first medical mission outside the capital city of Phnom Penh in the city of Siem Reap. Of the 93 patients who received free physical examinations, 57 received life-changing surgery. This successful collaborative medical mission is an example of programs that further regional relationships and help the growth of younger Foundations like Operation Smile Cambodia. The Foundation also had a successful year of fund-raising. It was one of the beneficiaries of the high-profile Glitz & Glamour Fashion Show featuring Cambodia’s top designers. All committee members, designers, choreographers, hairdressers, make-up artists and models donated their time and talent to raise money for charitable causes that improve the lives of Cambodian children.

MISSION SITES: Hangzhou, Lin Cang, Linyi, Nanjing

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1991

Operation Smile China Medical Mission, Ltd.’s successful, high profile fund-raising event in May, at the exclusive Armani Bar in Hong Kong, celebrated the launch of its new website, www.operationsmile.org.hk. The “Hip & Trendy Party” raised more than HK$150,000 on the spot. In June, the Chapter held its Operation Smile Silver Jubilee Charity Gala to celebrate Operation Smile’s 25th Anniversary. With more than 300 participants in attendance, the Second Shanghai International Plastic Surgery Conference co-sponsored by Operation Smile and the Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital was a success. Lectures were given by 45 speakers from Australia, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore and the United States. An internationally supported medical mission took place in Cambodia partnering Operation Smile medical volunteers from mainland China with Operation Smile Cambodia volunteers. Lead by plastic surgery team leader, Han Kai, M.D., and anesthesiology team leader, Hu Zhiyong, M.D., the success of the mission set a precedent for future collaborations between these Operation Smile countries.

MISSION SITES: Bogota

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1988

Operation Smile Colombia inaugurated its new Center for Integral Attention in Bogotá – the Gilberto Mariño Centro de Atención Integral – with an opening ceremony in April. While the Foundation has been running integral care centers in Bogotá and Duitama for many years, this one includes an operating and recovery room and provides patients with expanded complementary care services. With a focus on team care, Operation Smile Colombia volunteers provided more than 10,000 interdisciplinary consultations needed for the full development of a child with cleft lip and cleft palate: plastic surgery, anesthesia, pediatrics, nursing, speech therapy, orthodontics, genetics, nutrition, ENT, audiology, psychology and social work. The Foundation is proud of the psychology programs it has developed for its patients, as well as parent support workshops that help ensure the full social inclusion of these children. Operation Smile Colombia ensures that its work is linked with the global norms and protocols on clefts, disabilities and healthcare. It tracks all of its patient services according to the World Health Organizations’ (WHO) International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), and the Foundation is now starting to classify interventions based on the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Using these international guidelines has not only helped Operation Smile Colombia understand and measure the health outcomes of its patients, but also has strengthened its reporting to the National Ministry of Health and now has effective measuring tools to use while advocating for the nationally–recognized greater care and protection for all children living in Colombia with clefts.

MISSION SITES: Quito

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1995

The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, was honorary witness in the signing of an agreement between Operation Smile Ecuador and the Institute for the Eco-Development in the Amazon (ECORAE) with the purpose of increasing support for Ecuadorian children living in the Amazon region. Operation Smile Ecuador medical volunteers participated on international medical missions to Bolivia, Colombia, Jordan, Paraguay and Peru. Operation Smile Ecuador’s renowned art auction, “Arte a Dos Manos,” took place in June. The event brings together the most important Ecuadorian painters and sculptors with business leaders to raise funds and awareness for Operation Smile patients and programs in Ecuador. More than 50 articles in print, radio and television were released about Operation Smile Ecuador and were monitored by sponsor CREA Communication. One of the most widely read magazines of Ecuador, “Revista Vistazo,” included two articles about the event and a profile of Executive Director, Pancho Punina. Operation Smile Ecuador was given an award for outstanding Social Responsibility by the Banco del Pichincha.

MISSION SITES: Qena

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2006

In November, Operation Smile Egypt, in collaboration with Operation Smile and Qena General Hospital, conducted its first international medical mission in Qena. Free physical examinations were provided to 329 children and young adults and 108 received reconstructive surgery. This spring, the Foundation focused on providing medical education programs and recruiting in-country medical volunteers. At Benha University, 26 healthcare professionals received Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support training. In Assuit, Operation Smile Egypt conducted its second mission this fiscal year where 63 children were treated and 30 Egyptian medical professionals received training in cleft lip and cleft palate care, building the Foundation’s local volunteer base. Operation Smile Egypt medical volunteers have participated on international missions to Jordan and Morocco.

MISSION SITES: Addis Ababa, Jimma

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2005

Operation Smile in Ethiopia conducted its second nursing education program in August at the Black Lion Hospital where 22 nurses attended the three-day program. To prepare for its international medical missions, the Foundation, in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, the Menelik II Clinical Nurses Training School and Operation Smile, conducted a Basic Life Support course in November at the school’s Dormitory Hall. More than 100 healthcare professionals from public and private hospitals participated in the five-day training course. In addition, a one-table, four-day surgical education course took place at the Jimma University Specialized Hospital.

With funding from Operation Smile United Kingdom and EthiopiAid, Operation Smile in Ethiopia was able to host two simultaneous missions in Jimma and Addis Ababa in December. For the second year in a row, this partner country conducted education programs during the international medical mission at both the Addis Ababa and Jimma sites. These programs, with more than 150 participants, were organized with the goal of working with in-country surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses to develop their knowledge and skills in treating cleft lip and cleft palate patients.

MISSION SITES: Santa Rosa de Copan

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1997

Operation Smile Honduras opened its Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Integral Care Clinic in 2006 and thanks to its dedicated volunteers, the Clinic has had a successful first year. Currently, more than 300 patients come on a regular basis for free medical care and psycho-social services the clinic offers in the fields of plastic surgery, pediatrics, speech pathology, orthodontics, nutrition and psychology. More than 1,000 consultations have been conducted by the Foundation’s medical volunteers since the clinic opened. One of Operation Smile Honduras’ most committed speech therapists, Eloisa Membreño, who volunteered at the clinic several times a week, passed away this year. Her patients adored her and miss her.

MISSION SITES: Kolkata, Vijayawada

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2002

Operation Smile India began discussions with the Student Health Home of Kolkata with the goal of working towards a cleft free state of West Bengal. The plans included identifying the site for a Comprehensive Care Centre. The clinic would provide year-round treatment and follow-up care for children throughout West Bengal. Operation Smile India continues to focus on building its volunteer medical team and providing medical education training opportunities through Operation Smile's Critical Nursing Skills Training Program and Biomedical Technician Training Programs, as well as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses. The Foundation has organized its Board of Directors and strengthened its infrastructure.

MISSION SITES: Amman

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2000

Operation Smile Jordan’s dedicated volunteers make it possible for this Foundation to organize and host many Operation Smile programs. This Foundation boasts the largest student program in the region. Operation Smile Jordan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, conducted a local mission to Liwa Bani Kinana at the Yarmook Hospital. The all-Jordanian medical team provided 150 physical examinations and operated on 39 patients, thanks to funding by the Fine Company. The Foundation offered its second Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Life Support workshops free of charge to 60 Jordanian healthcare professionals. The Foundation also organized and hosted three medical missions, where both Jordanian and Iraqi patients received life-changing surgeries. These missions were logistically challenging due to the complexities of transporting patients from Iraq to Jordan along with providing food and lodging for the families; Operation Smile Jordan also hosted an Iraqi medical team traveling with the Iraqi patients. These missions would not be possible without the efforts of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Iraq. Both Operation Smile Jordan and IOM worked tirelessly to coordinate the safe arrivals and departures of all the Iraqis.

MISSION SITES: Kisumu, Nairobi, Nakuru

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1987

Operation Smile Mission in Kenya began its 20th Anniversary year celebrations by conducting a local mission in Meru, its fourth at this site in five years. The all-Kenyan medical volunteer team, led by team leaders Dr. Kimani Wangeri and Dr. Alex Kinyua, and clinical coordinator, Doris Musyoka, provided life-changing surgeries to 99 children during three days of surgery. The 20th Anniversary celebrations have also been marked by a re-structuring of the Foundation’s Board, and plans for fund-raising and awareness events, as well as the opening of a new site in central Kenya’s provincial capital, Nyeri, close to snow-capped Mt. Kenya. Operation Smile Mission in Kenya medical volunteers have participated on international medical missions to Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Morocco and South Africa. At the conclusion of Operation Smile’s international medical mission to Nairobi, Nakuru and Kisumu in October 2006, Julia Kibe, a long time Kenyan nurse volunteer, was presented with the Lucy Navivasha Kabii International Nursing Award of Excellence. This Operation Smile award is in recognition of international nurses who stand out and set new standards for their colleagues.

MISSION SITES: Puerto Vallarta

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2005

Operation Smile Mexico, A.C. conducted its first full-scale international medical mission in September at the Instituto Jalisciense de Cirugía Reconstructiva José Guerrerosantos in Guadalajara, where 214 children received free physical examinations and 90 received free surgeries. Seven months later the organization held its first Post-operative Follow-up Care Program; patients who had received care during the inaugural medical mission met with specialists in the fields of plastic surgery, pediatrics, orthodontics, social work, psychology and speech pathology. This spring, Operation Smile Mexico, A.C. provided its volunteers with the opportunity to participate in Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses that were organized by Operation Smile and the faculty of the American Heart Association in Mexico. Operation Smile Mexico, A.C. is grateful to the Instituto Jalisciense de Cirugía Reconstructiva José Guerrerosantos, which continues to be a generous host and home base for all the organization’s mission and education programs in Mexico. Operation Smile Mexico, A.C. has received the funding to outfit an upgraded Intensive Care Unit, and as part of the 2007 mission in Guadalajara, a ceremony will take place to launch this new “Operation Smile ICU.”

MISSION SITES: Casablanca, Tetouan

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1998

Operation Smile Morocco began a dental program that provides basic follow-up care for its cleft lip and cleft palate patients as well as other Moroccans who need care in the Casablanca area. This translates into orthodontic care for 75 cleft lip and cleft palate patients as well as basic dental care for 3,000 patients annually. Operation Smile Morocco has partnered with Operation Smile United Kingdom to establish the first cleft lip and cleft palate care center in northern Africa. The Casablanca-based facility will enable Operation Smile Morocco to provide comprehensive treatment and post-operative care to hundreds of additional children suffering from facial deformities each year. Fouzia Mahmoudi, Co-founder and Vice President of Operation Smile Morocco, was awarded the Grace McGregor Gonzalez International Volunteer Award. This Operation Smile award honors an outstanding international volunteer who has demonstrated kindness, compassion and exemplary service to others.

MISSION SITES: Managua

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1999

The inaugural international medical mission in Chinandega in January was the first-ever mission to take place outside of Managua. Sponsored by Coen Foundation, located in Chinandega, the Operation Smile medical mission team, along with Operation Smile Nicaragua medical volunteers at the Hospital España, performed 235 physical examinations and provided new smiles to 120 patients. In May, Operation Smile Nicaragua moved into a new office and clinic. This clinic will house consultation rooms and services to provide enhanced follow-up care for patients in the areas of speech therapy and orthodontic care. The Foundation now has more than 40 medical volunteers, many of whom have been volunteering for the organization for more than ten years.

MISSION SITES: Chorrera

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1991

Operation Smile Panama has partnered with the University of Panama, allowing the Foundation to take its team-care approach to a new level and to continually grow its medical volunteer base. Operation Smile Panama has access to the University’s facilities, and graduate students in the fields of health sciences have the opportunity to train and work with the Foundation’s medical volunteers during medical missions. The Foundation has provided medical education to Panamanian healthcare professionals through Operation Smile’s Critical Nursing Skills Training Program, Biomedical Technician Training Program, as well as Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses. Last year, 125 nurses throughout the country were certified in Basic Life Support. In August, Dr. Alberto Moreno was invited to join Mexican superstar, Paulina Rubio, as guests on the popular television show “Don Francisco Presenta,” to highlight the extraordinary work that Operation Smile Latin American volunteers are doing throughout the region.

MISSION SITES: Asuncion

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2005

Operation Smile Paraguay has focused its attention on volunteer recruitment and planning its future cleft lip and cleft palate integral care center. The Foundation is now looking to the purchase of a piece of land where they can begin to build the clinic, starting in 2008. The Foundation has provided medical education to Paraguayan healthcare professionals through Operation Smile’s Critical Nursing Skills Training Program, Biomedical Technician Training and Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support courses. Operation Smile Paraguay launched its new website www.operacionsonrisa.org.py

MISSION SITES: Trujillo

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1999

Operation Smile Peru launched a new mission site in Arequipa in October, with funding provided by several mining companies. The site opens up the Foundation’s services to children living in the southern part of the country. Operation Smile Peru continues its collaboration with World Vision Peru to conduct missions in Trujillo. In December, the Foundation held it annual art auction, “Arte por una Sonrisa,” or “Art for a Smile” raising more than $28,000. This is the sixth year Operation Smile Peru has held a successful fund-raising event during which Peruvian artists work side-by-side with youth volunteers and Operation Smile patients to create original works of art. Operation Smile Peru has redesigned its website, www.operacionsonrisa.org.pe

MISSION SITES: Davao City, Makati City, Naga City

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1982

Operation Smile Philippines conducted an unprecedented 17 local missions, and this would not have been possible without the loyal support of its volunteers and the strong relationships it has developed with private corporations, local governments, hospitals, charity foundations and individuals. Operation Smile Philippines raised a record amount of funds and in-kind donations totaling more than $320,000. To fulfill its goal of treating more patients, raising more funds and awareness and implementing Operations Smile’s Global Standards of Care during its 25th anniversary year, the Foundation has signed a record number of “Memorandas of Agreement” with different entities such as: Arellano University Nursing Department, which will expose student nurses to Operation Smile's Global Standards of Care by observing during local missions; Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines, which will ensure the participation of competent and qualified nurses on local missions; the Makati City and Quezon City Governments, which will each sponsor an annual medical mission; the Press Photographers of the Philippines, to ensure high quality imagery for Operation Smile Philippines to document its activities; Abbott Laboratories, for the donation of anesthetic medicines; and Managed Care Clinics, for the sponsorship of year-round medical missions.

MISSION SITES: Novosibirsk, Taganrog

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1993

Operation Smile Russia launched a new education program in life support training this year. By purchasing a full set of six Basic Life Support (BLS) mannequins and Automated External Defibrillator Trainers, Operation Smile Russia can now provide continuous training to the medical personnel of its partner hospitals. In Novosibirsk, the Foundation successfully trained 24 healthcare professionals in BLS and 12 volunteers in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). In May, the Foundation provided another BLS and PALS training course in Vladimir, followed by its first local mission staffed solely with Operation Smile Russia volunteers.

MISSION SITES: Tamatave, Madagascar

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 2006

Operation Smile South Africa was established as a Foundation in early 2006, and in September, the organization conducted its inaugural international medical mission to Empangeni in collaboration with the National and KwaZulu-Natal Departments of Health and Johannesburg based Smile Foundation (formerly the Star Smile Fund.) In its first year, this Foundation has enjoyed national recognition and success thanks to its dedicated donors, supporters and volunteers. In August, two South African extreme athletes began an epic journey to complete the unique feat of traveling the entire length of the Great Wall of China, on foot, in one attempt. David Grier and Braam Malherbe completed this challenge in December and raised more than $75,000 for the Cipla Medpro Miles for Smiles Foundation, of which Operation Smile South Africa was the sole beneficiary. Since its inception, Operation Smile South Africa has sent its volunteers on more than 30 international medical missions and conferences. The organization also sponsored Basic Life Support training for 47 South African healthcare professionals and Pediatric Advanced Life Support training for 16 South African medical volunteers.

MISSION SITES: Mae Sot

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1997

Operation Smile Thailand and Operation Smile Vietnam conducted a joint mission to Laos in March at the Maria Teresa Hospital in Vientiane Province. The volunteer medical team, led by Dr. Apichai Angspatt, provided physical examinations to 61 Laotian children and 56 children received surgery. The four-day medical mission consisted of three days of surgery and one day of sharing skills and knowledge with their Laotian counterparts. Operation Smile Thailand’s partnership with the Khon Kaen University Speech Therapy Department has had impressive results. The organizations have produced the first Thai speech therapy video. Using this video and the Thai language speech therapy manual developed last year, the Foundation conducted three “speech camps” in Amnartcharoen, Roi-et and Chiangrai provinces benefiting 80 children throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. Operation Smile Thailand also produced its first institutional video. In Thai with English subtitles, the video focuses on the November medical mission in Mae Sot, near the Burmese border. Operation Smile Thailand’s student programs have also been successful. Students at the International School Bangkok raised $25,000 for the Foundation’s programs.

MISSION SITES: Barinas

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1993

Six biomedical technicians from Venezuela participated in Operation Smile’s Regional Biomedical Technician Training Program which took place in Honduras in January. As a result, the Foundation now has an active biomedical program; biomedical technicians regularly participate on local medical missions and are responsible for setting-up, testing and maintaining the equipment before, during and after Operation Smile Venezuela’s medical missions. Oscar D'León, the internationally recognized Venezuelan salsa singer, is Operation Smile’s first Latin American celebrity to join as a 25th Anniversary Smile Ambassador. D'León recorded a televised public service announcement for Operation Smile Venezuela. In June, D’Leon performed for more than 500 people at the “Let’s Smile with Oscar D'León” concert, raising more than $30,000 for the Foundation.

MISSION SITES: Bac Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Pakse (Laos)

MISSION COUNTRY SINCE: 1993

Operation Smile Vietnam opened its first Comprehensive Care Center in March in collaboration with the Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology of Hue and the Health Service Department of Thua Thien Hue. The center provides year-round comprehensive care by locally-based teams of Operation Smile–trained and credentialed medical professionals in the fields of plastic surgery, dentistry, pediatrics and speech pathology, and also provides psychosocial services to patients and their families. The center also will enable Operation Smile Vietnam to continue to develop its craniofacial and micro-surgery programs and will provide education and training to medical professionals in Thua Thien Hue and neighboring provinces. This is the first of three centers planned for Vietnam; the others will be located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Now in its sixth year, Operation Smile Vietnam’s fund-raising event, the Auction of Contemporary Vietnamese Art, raised enough funds to provide approximately 800 children with cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. Sponsored by Unilever Vietnam, and co-sponsored by Phoenix Voyages and GlobalSantaFe Engineering, the evening was a resounding success. The event has become one of the signature black-tie evenings on Ho Chi Minh City's social calendar.