I had the opportunity to go on my first cleft mission trip with Free to Smile (FTS) Foundation prior to starting my fellowship in Cleft and Craniofacial surgery. I enjoyed every min of this opportunity. Everything was so well-organized by FTS making the travel and experience absolutely memorable. I enjoyed meeting other volunteers through this trip and had an amazing time learning from all the surgeons and their experiences. The camaraderie between FTS and the hosting organization (Tess Unlimited) was truly a reflection of keeping patient care a priority and striving for excellence in providing these life changing surgeries for these beautiful children. I am again very grateful to the organization for letting me be part of the trip, and I hope to return with them on many other future mission trips!
Free to Smile is changing lives all over the world through cleft palate surgeries and other dentistry needs. In June 2012 my daughter volunteered on the Niger trip, which proved to be a life changing event for her as well as the many patients who came to the hospital. Her experience there touched us all and the lives that were impacted serve as a reminder of the true needs in the world for children and adults in developing countries. To hear of malnourished children kept in sheds separate from the rest of their families because of a deformity believed to be a curse to the family is beyond gut-wrenching. For the patients to finally be able to eat and keep nourishment in their mouths because of the surgeries offered by Free to Smile is cause to do more. Free to Smile volunteers pay their airfare and room and board, the budget is tight and the administrative costs of the organization are spartan compared to other organizations. Their goal is to help as many people as possible in every way possible. To say I've been impressed with Free to Smile would be an understatement.