Every morning, we wake up and we look around, but we do not realize how blessed we are. We also don’t realize that there are children around the world who are in need― specifically children born with cleft lips or palates. Over the past couple years; I have been on mission trips with Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that specializes in cleft lip/palate surgeries. I made my first trip in 2002-03 to a remote village in Gujrat, India. I was so moved by experience that I went there once again in 2004. Last year I visited Sikkim, India in October 2010. For a week we had a team from all around the world who worked over 12 hours everyday, helping children and adults who had cleft lips and palates.


Map of Sikkim, India. (depicted in red)

The joy of giving a smile to a child or an adult is simply priceless. When I go to India on a mission trip what stuns me the most is the fact I am just like them. I grew up in India in circumstances similar to theirs. Yet, somehow God gave me an opportunity to leave India, and come to the US. My life changed because I was given the opportunity to do. So many of us are not given this opportunity. I feel that by performing the surgery, this young girl or boy now has at least a chance to do what his or her heart desires. I am just glad that I can accomplish it by performing a surgery for less than an hour. Please enjoy these pictures from my trip to Sikkim, India from October 2009.

 

This year I wanted to go a step further in helping these children. Beginning September 2010, Genesis Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa will donate $ 100 for every major surgical procedure performed at Genesis. This is enough money to change one life. So when you decide to have your surgery with Genesis, a child somewhere in the world will experience a smile for the first time! Thank you for choosing Genesis Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa, we sincerely appreciate it!

Visit www.operationsmile.org if you wish to learn more about this organization or wish to donate yourself.

Images of Sikkim, India - 2010

Date Added: September 24, 2010