lie helps make a difference with Operation Smile
Friday, March 2nd, 2012 (Nassau, Bahamas) - Natalie Hernandez is a truly extraordinary young woman. In February 2012, Natalie visited Phnom Pehn, Cambodia as a volunteer student educator for Operation Smile, an international medical charity that has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities around the world. A Year 12 student at St Andrew’s School, Natalie spent months collecting donations to take along on her trip, and she was able to collect over 200 stuffed animals and toothbrushes as well as over $600 from her fellow St Andrew’s students!
Over 20,000 Cambodians suffer from cleft lips and palates, and Operation Smile has been changing lives in Cambodia for 10 years now. While she was in Cambodia, the Operation Smile Medical Mission performed 81 life-changing surgeries, some on infants as young as 5 months old. To Natalie, “the trip was a life-changing experience. It taught me that a mother’s love is universal and that a baby born with cleft impacts the whole family. A mom, regardless of where she live in the world, or her social class, will do whatever she can for her child. Some mothers came on mules, others on buses from hours away, scrapping together whatever money they could, to ensure that their child could have a chance at a better future. The trip also helped me to put everything in perspective and see the bigger picture. Life isn’t about a particular bag, or going out on Saturday night, as many high school students think. It’s about helping others. We have been blessed with so many things: an education, a house, and food. It’s our responsibility to give back and help those who aren’t as fortunate.”
As a Student Educator, she taught local children about basic health and hygiene such as hand washing, dental hygiene, and burn care and prevention. Natalie had to be admitted into the mission training program before she could take on this role, and out of the hundreds that apply, only 30 high school students are accepted. Now in her third year of volunteering for Operation Smile, Natalie first became involved with the group when she lived in Honduras and translated for the English-speaking doctors. With her strong Spanish skills, she was able to help doctors and families communicate about procedures and follow-up care. Natalie said, “After seeing the amazing results they had, I wanted to become more involved.” For other students wishing to become involved, Natalie has started a school club of Operation Smile to help make a difference and raise awareness in our own community. She says, “I am so lucky to have gone on this trip, and thank you to everyone who made it possible!”
Natalie Hernandez, Year 12 student at St Andrew’s School, visits with children in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia with Operation Smile.
School children in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia.
Natalie Hernandez, Year 12 student at St Andrew’s School, holds a young child with a cleft palate in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia during her time volunteering with Operation Smile.
