Ramandeep Kaur

The PVHS Operation Smile club held its second meeting of the year to discuss service projects and learn about cleft lip and palate.

Students at PVHS came together for the 24-25 school year to start a chapter of a new club aimed at creating better medical accessibility for those with cleft lip and palate: Operation Smile.

Operation Smile aims to increase safe access to healthcare for those with cleft lip and palate. The initiative ensures that children with cleft lip or palate access safe surgeries. They accomplish this by providing medical training and education for volunteers and staff to create a pathway for safe surgeries. 

Cleft lips and palates are openings in the upper lip or the palate. These openings can only be addressed by surgery. For under-resourced communities where access to safe surgeries and proper aftercare is not possible, access to surgery is limited. 

Operation Smile, however, has impacted thousands of people with its global efforts.

While the organization was founded in 1982 by Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, students at PVHS decided to continue their work by starting a local chapter 42 years later.

The PVHS chapter was founded by juniors Ramandeep Kaur, Saria Fiaz and Selynna Song. The students wanted to contribute to a cause that would create accessible medical treatments for all students.“Our purpose is to raise awareness about cleft lip and cleft palate conditions and to contribute to the global project through service projects and fundraising,” expressed Kaur.

The club held its first meeting on Monday, Oct. 7 in teacher Angela Staber’s room. Many students attended the first meeting to join the movement. “I joined the Operation Smile club as I felt it directly made a difference in the lives of so many kids, I felt pretty motivated to join the club as it is not only about making a difference medically but also restoring kids’ smiles and confidence,” expressed senior Vibhuti Ghildiyal.

Currently, the club is planning a variety of projects such as service projects, fundraising, and awareness campaigns.

Operation Smile brings a smile to those leading the project and those the organization impacts. “Being a part of this project will bring a smile to someone’s life. Your actions will count towards making a global difference,” stated Kaur.

The new chapter of Operation Smile is creating a positive step forward toward establishing a positive and inclusive community at PVHS. While the club was created to raise awareness for cleft lip and palate patients, their goal is to bring a smile to everyone’s face.