The Gift of a Smile
A smile is one of the most powerful expressions of joy and connection. But for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate, smiling can be a source of pain, shame, and isolation. These conditions, which affect the formation of the lip and roof of the mouth, can lead to difficulties in eating, speaking, and breathing — and often result in severe social stigma.
In rural Bihar, where awareness is limited and access to specialised medical care is scarce, children with cleft conditions often grow up without treatment. Families, already struggling with poverty, cannot afford the surgeries that could transform their children's lives. Many children are hidden away, kept out of school, and denied the chance to live normal lives.
Our Cleft Surgery Programme was launched to change this reality. Through free screening camps and surgeries, we are giving children the gift of a smile — and with it, the chance to live with confidence and dignity.
Reaching the Unreached
Our programme begins with awareness. Many families in remote villages do not know that cleft conditions can be corrected through surgery. They accept their child's condition as fate, unaware that a simple operation can change everything.
We conduct extensive outreach through village health workers, local leaders, and community gatherings. When families learn that free treatment is available, hope replaces despair. Parents who had given up on their children's futures suddenly see new possibilities.
Our screening camps are held in accessible locations where families can bring their children for evaluation. Expert surgeons assess each case, determining the best course of treatment. For those who qualify, surgery is scheduled at partner hospitals, with all costs covered by our programme.
When I saw my daughter smile for the first time after surgery, I cried tears of joy. She can finally go to school and play with other children without fear.
— Mother of a beneficiary
The Surgery That Changes Everything
Cleft lip and palate surgeries are performed by skilled plastic surgeons who specialise in these procedures. The surgery typically takes one to two hours, and most children can return home within a few days. The transformation is immediate and dramatic.
But the impact goes far beyond physical appearance. Children who could not eat properly can now enjoy meals with their families. Those who struggled to speak clearly can now communicate without difficulty. And perhaps most importantly, children who were once isolated and ashamed can now smile freely and participate fully in life.
Stories of Transformation
Little Priya's Journey
Priya was born with a severe cleft lip that made feeding difficult and caused her constant discomfort. Her parents, daily wage labourers, could not afford treatment. When they heard about our screening camp, they walked for hours to bring Priya for evaluation. After successful surgery, Priya is now a happy, healthy child who loves to smile. She has started school and dreams of becoming a teacher.
Rahul Finds His Voice
Rahul, a 7-year-old boy with cleft palate, had never been able to speak clearly. Other children teased him, and he had withdrawn into silence. After surgery and speech therapy, Rahul can now speak normally. He has become one of the most talkative children in his class, making up for years of silence with endless questions and stories.
Comprehensive Care
Our programme provides more than just surgery. We understand that cleft conditions require comprehensive care, including pre-operative evaluation, post-operative follow-up, and in some cases, speech therapy and dental care.
We work with families throughout the entire process, providing transportation assistance, accommodation during hospital stays, and nutritional support for recovery. Our goal is to ensure that every child receives complete care, with no family left to struggle alone.
Programme Impact
500+
Surgeries Completed
1000+
Children Screened
100%
Free of Cost
50+
Villages Reached
Help Us Transform More Lives
Every child deserves to smile without shame. Your support can help us reach more children, conduct more screening camps, and perform more life-changing surgeries. Together, we can ensure that no child in Bihar has to live with an untreated cleft condition.