Operation Smile’s Visit to Western Thailand

ISB has a surplus of different clubs. Ranging from athletics, to arts, service and more, we are lucky to have a school that gives students the opportunity to help out in so many different ways. Here at ISB, we are very lucky, and it is important to recognise this in order to give back to less fortunate communities across Thailand. This is the vision of Operation Smile, a club here at ISB. 

Operation Smile focuses on the less privileged youth all over Thailand, who suffer with cleft palates. A cleft palate is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth, that causes a mutation in babies. Many problems arise from cleft palates, such as the inability/difficulty for mothers to breastfeed, because sucking becomes so difficult. Additionally, children with cleft palates are more prone to ear infections, as well as hearing loss. In Thailand, there are increasing amounts of families who are unable to afford treatment for cleft palates, and many are forced to live with this harsh condition. Here at ISB, however, the Operation Smile club provides free surgeries for the less privileged youth here in Thailand.

On Saturday, November 2nd, Operation Smile ISB embarked on a 2-day service trip in Mae Sot, Thailand. Mae Sot is a province in the western region of Thailand, near the Burmese border. On this trip, Operation Smile helped out several local children suffering with cleft palates at the Mae Sot general hospital. During their visit, 12 ISB students were able to get a first-person view of operation smile conducting these operations, as well as get some hands-on experience helping out these kids. 

Students who participated in this trip had the chance to reflect on the unique experience they had in western Thailand. Maggie Moore (10), a club officer, was inspired by the trip, saying “It is amazing to watch how a child’s life is transformed through a single surgery, and to see the pure joy on parents’ faces after their child’s surgery.” Pinn Pithayanakul (10) is another officer of Operation Smile ISB. She enjoyed the opportunity to get a first hand view on the effects of Operation Smile, stating “Although being apart of Operation Smile provides you to do direct service, going out and experiencing where most of the money goes to is such a pleasure.” Grace Mahakeeta (10), has been a member of Operation Smile throughout high school. She insinuated that this trip gave her a special opportunity to do something new, as well as helping out those who need it. Grace explained that she was fortunate to go on this trip, saying “I really enjoyed the ability to directly help out these kids. Raising money can only do so much, but being there with the kids, and seeing the smile on their faces is very special.”

Overall, Operation Smile is one of the many clubs at ISB that provides students with an opportunity to give back to the greater Thailand community. As they recently conducted their annual trip to the western province of Mae Sot, many students were touched by the opportunity, and thankful to have had the chance to help out the less fortunate youth.