Operation of Hope Gives More Children a Reason to Smile

Ecuador ― Every year Dr. Joseph Clawson, a plastic surgeon and the founder of Operation of Hope in cooperation with HCJB Global, goes to Ecuador with several nurses to provide surgery for children born with cleft lips and cleft palates.

This year he helped 20 children, six from Shell and 14 from Otavalo, at HCJB Global Hands’ Hospital Vozandes-Shell. HCJB Global has had a hospital in this area since May 10, 1958, and has been in its present facilities since March 30, 1985.

“Dr. Joe’s” patients this trip were babies with cleft lips needing first surgeries, two young children with cleft palates needing second surgeries, a 9-year-old with his pharynx needing repaired, and a 17-year-old with a cleft palate. Their surgeries were all successful.

This surgery is not only cosmetically transforming but also psychologically transforming. HCJB Global said, “After the cleft lip or palate surgery, children are also restored to positions in the family and have the hope of leading a normal life.”

Through this ministry, Operation of Hope is being the hands and feet of Jesus and showing these children how much Christ loves them.

Since Operation of Hope started its ministry, they have helped more than 1,900 children worldwide. They plan to again return to Ecuador in January 2010.

While Hospital Vozandes-Shell covers all of the costs for the children and their families regarding these surgeries, you can help the hospital with funding. For one child, the cost is about $100.

If you would like to send money to help Operation of Hope help more children in the future or want to obtain more information about their ministry, please visit www.hcjb.org.

(Source: Mission Network News)