“Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition,” reads the leading statistic that unifies the Operation Smile community.

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a global nonprofit that believes every child deserves access to high-quality health care. They work to provide free surgery for children with cleft palates, as well as medical training, education and mentorship to surgical teams around the world. The organization currently supplies care in 37 countries with the help of 6,000 volunteers, which has enabled them to support over 420,000 patients, according to operationsmile.org.

On March 19, 2025, junior Haymi Patel will leave the country for a medical mission trip to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, accompanied by two Operation Smile club members and a chaperone who will also assist as a volunteer. After her 12-day venture, she will return home on March 30, 2025, with an unforgettable lifetime experience—documented through her camera roll and daily journal. 

“Haymi’s dedication, leadership and passion for Operation Smile’s mission make her an incredible candidate for this trip. She has such a kind heart and a natural ability to connect with others, which is so important in a mission like this,” senior and Operation Smile Club Treasurer Sarah Kosovsky said.

After a fifth-grade field trip to the Operation Smile Headquarters, Haymi decided to join the nonprofit. Since then, she’s grown a fond appreciation, working to assist in all the ways she can.

“Being able to see and help the kids first-hand is just such a dream and something that I have always wanted to be a part of ever since I found out that I could,” Haymi said. “I most look forward to meeting and spending time with the kids and being there for them throughout the program.”

Attending a medical mission marks a huge accomplishment, according to Principal Dr. Claire Leblanc.

In order to be eligible to apply for the surgical program training, prospective students must attend the International Student Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Ga., hold a leadership position in their school’s Operation Smile club chapter and have previous involvement in planning and hosting a local Operation Smile student programs event. Then, if their training program application is accepted, they are selected to go on a surgical program with the location determined by the headquarters. 

“Haymi is a very compassionate, kind and driven person,” senior and Operation Smile Club Secretary Sophia Tenenggee said. “What sets her apart is she actively channels these qualities to create change within her community.”

The cost for the trips ranges from $800 to $4000, depending on location, support and varying factors. Trips are not school-sponsored; thus, students are responsible for their individualized campaigns to gather such funds.

According to Smolin, the club has received many generous donations from teachers, and they are beyond grateful for the supportive staff at Ocean Lakes.

Leblanc also thanks the community and urges them to continue to support Haymi’s fundraising goal by donating the following needed items: fidget toys, eight-pack crayons, little stuffed animals (roughly beanie baby size), bubble wands, individually packed toothbrushes, travel-sizes toothpaste and drawstring bags. 

“Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference. Let’s come together to support Hyami and the life-changing work of Operation Smile,” Leblanc said.

All donations to assist in funding Haymi’s trips should be delivered to the Operation Smile club in Room 225 by Friday, March 14, 2025.

“I will distribute all of the donations to patients and families in the hospital. These are things that they do not have access to and cannot afford that will benefit both their health and calm their nerves as they go through this difficult process,” Haymi said. 

Andrea Smolin, Operation Smile club adviser of 12 years, backs Leblanc that a trip like Haymi’s is a remarkable experience, rooted in unwavering service and impact.

“The opportunity to attend missions (programs) is one of the best opportunities we can offer to high school students. It’s so important that they see what life is like beyond our borders,” Smolin said, who attended a medical mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico in 2019 as a chaperone. “The students selected to attend Medical Missions are not only active within their school club but also with corporate events. They are top-notch student leaders who are dependable, passionate and excellent communicators.”

As Haymi leaves her mark on communities locally and beyond, she will join the legacy of notable leaders before her who embarked on their own medical mission journeys: alums Jondre Macaraeg to Vietnam (2020), Shreya Raj to Malawi (2020), Sophia Libonate to Paraguay (2020) and Andrew Luksik to India (2023).

The trip will serve as a chance for Haymi to give back to deserving communities passionately through the lens of her medical interests. The goal of this program is to screen approximately 90 children in need of facial reconstructive surgery. The volunteers will provide psychosocial support and educate the local communities on topics such as good oral hygiene practices, burn care and CPR.

“I have always been interested in the medical field, and at the surgical program I will be interacting with several professionals, including speech pathologists, surgeons and anesthesiologists,” Haymi said.  

According to Smolin, Haymi amazes her each year with her diligence, ambition and devotion to her work. 

“I have found her character to be of the highest quality; she is committed to achieving her personal best, while unselfishly assisting those in need through service,” Smolin said.

Sarah agrees and adds that her dedication to Operation Smile is contagious, often motivating others to continue the chain of fostering positive impact.

“Her commitment encourages students who want to learn more about the organization or are considering going on a trip themselves,” Sarah said. “As she prepares and collects donations for her trip, it’s been amazing to see other students support her. The knowledge and experiences Haymi gains from this trip and takes back to share will be so valuable to our community.”