UAE, Abu Dhabi – 25th October 2011: Operation Smile, the international not-for-profit organization that provides safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities, celebrated the official launch of their UAE foundation last night, at a ceremony held at the Beach Rotana hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Established late last year, Operation Smile UAE (OSUAE) gained full registration as a charity under the Ministry of Social Affairs in January 2011, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Alyazia Bint Saif Al Nahyan, wife of HH Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Serving as a resource country to help raise awareness for those who suffer from facial deformities, the charity has already funded two missions to Morocco and The Philippines, providing a total of 444 surgeries across both countries.
HH Sheikha Alyazia Bint Saif Al Nahyan, Patron of Operation Smile UAE said: “It is with great pleasure and joy that we celebrate the official launch of Operation Smile UAE. As we continue with the incredible work of the charity here in the UAE, I look forward to seeing many more beautiful smiles around the world. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our partners so far and hope to continue raising awareness throughout the UAE for many years to come.”
OSUAE has partnered with several schools and universities across the Emirates to establish ‘Operation Smile clubs’ and conferences to raise awareness amongst young adults, and has also worked closely with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, as well as other medical establishments to recruit medical volunteers to help raise awareness.
Working closely with OSUAE, a range of highly trained nurses, cranio facial surgeons, plastic surgeons, dentists, speech pathologists, anesthetists and pediatricians from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City have volunteered their valued experience and time to help transform lives over the past twelve months.
Recently, eight dental chairs have been donated by Sheikh Khalifa Medical City to be used at cleft centers in Morocco, Cambodia and South Africa. Two of these chairs will also be used in a planned mobile awareness bus which will travel throughout the Emirates providing consultations and care for children suffering from facial deformities, and introducing students to good oral hygiene and healthy eating.
Morag Cromey – Hawke, Executive Director of Operation Smile UAE added: “We are absolutely thrilled to have launched Operation Smile UAE and we are very grateful to our various partners who have helped bring our vision to life in the UAE so far, but are always looking for more volunteers and donors to join our team. We look forward to a future of many more happy and healthy children living a happy and healthy life.”
UAE partners who have already signed up to help this worthy cause include Yas Rotana Hotel and Centro Rotana in Abu Dhabi; which have both launched dedicated OSUAE initiatives to raise funds through donations from their guests during the months of October, November and December. Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi has also partnered with OSUAE as part of its CSR campaign to help raise awareness throughout the mall.
Despite the success of Operation Smile UAE so far, thousands more volunteers and advocates are needed to help heal children’s smiles around the world. Please visit www.operationsmile.org.ae to find out how you can make a donation.
In as little as forty-five minutes and AED 880, a single surgery can change a child’s life forever.