Amman- U.S. Ambassador Alice G. Wells participated on Friday with the Mayor of Amman in the opening ceremony of Operation Smile Jordan’s 10th anniversary which will be held from 10th to 16th April 20l5, at Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II Hospital in Ein el Basha Area.
The ceremony included the screening of many children, born with cleft lips, cleft palates, other facial deformities and burns, eligible for free reconstructive surgeries offered by a team of 60 Jordanian and International credentialed medical professionals, including American doctors, nurses and youth volunteers who are volunteering their time and expertise to heal these children’s smiles and transform their lives.
Operation Smile Jordan is part of a global alliance of Operation Smile foundations and chapters dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from facial deformities.
One in 400 babies in Jordan is born with cleft lip and cleft palate – often unable to eat, drink, speak, have difficulty breathing, nonetheless smile. One in 10 children born with a cleft deformity may not reach their first birthday.
Ambassador Wells noted: ”I am thrilled to be here and to meet with my colleagues the American volunteers who are joining Jordanians and International team to help children here, crossing all borders for this noble cause “
Operation Smile Jordan operates under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the Honorary Chairperson. In October 2004 Operation Smile Jordan became a registered, independent, legal and financial entity (NGO) under the Ministry of Social Development.
Since 2000, with the support of Operation Smile, Inc. and the Ministry of Health, Operation Smile Jordan has organized medical missions to help children from Jordan and neighboring countries. Since 2004, more than 1700 children have received treatment.
