Written By: Theo, Hayeon, Pun (Class of 2026)
Operation Smile is an organization that helps individuals belonging to underprivileged communities with cleft lip and palates, other facial deformities, syndactyly and polydactyly, and burn wounds receive free and safe surgery. To do so, Operation Smile hosts ‘medical missions,’ where they cooperate with various healthcare professionals including pediatricians, dentists, plastic surgeons, and anaesthesiologists to screen and perform high-quality surgeries to patients in need. Additionally, Operation Smile also partners with various other international NGOs including the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to ensure that as many patients get the surgery they need, no matter their ethnic or socioeconomic background.
This year, Wells International School was invited by Operation Smile Thailand (OST) to participate in the 101st medical mission to northern Thailand (in the province of Mae Hong Son), lasting from February 15 to February 19. Seven of our ambitious students embarked on this five-day long trip to Sri Sangwan Hospital, where they were able to interview the participating medical and non-medical volunteers, members of Operation Smile management, as well as the patients coming from various backgrounds. The interviews with medical volunteers, which included the aforementioned healthcare professionals, allowed for our students to gain greater insight into the web of medical professions and specialties that support Thailand’s healthcare system. This also allowed for the aspiring medical professionals in our student volunteer group to develop a greater understanding of the expectations, requirements, and responsibilities of their desired career path. Perhaps the most rewarding part of the medical mission, however, was being able to directly interact with the patients. As most of the time spent in Sri Sangwan Hospital was allocated to ward visits, our students were able to play and interact with the patients while they waited for screening or their surgery. This was especially the case for younger patients, who were energetic and excited to play with our volunteers. Students developed emotional bonds with patients as they progressed through their reconstructive surgeries. It was a heartwarming experience to be able to see patients’ before and after their transformational surgeries, while always maintaining their contagious smiles. 
Moreover, students were given an operating room (OR) tour by the regional head of Operation Smile for Southeast Asia, enabling students to understand how the different components of the organization cooperate to provide surgery. Students were also given the chance to watch one of these surgeries as well, further enhancing the value of this medical mission. Overall, this experience was a great service event for us student volunteers while simultaneously allowing us to gain thorough understanding of medical and non-medical professions present in hospitals as well. As we reflect on this medical mission, we look forward to future collaboration with OST and the future opportunities that this collaboration will bring. 
Acknowledgements:
Students would like to thank Ms. Sehnila for accompanying us and Dr. Katina for her guidance and support throughout the initial planning stages of this trip. Lastly, we’d like to express our gratitude to Ms. Thitiya Cheeranond (Gift), the resource development manager, as well as school clubs and international communities manager of OST for inviting and supporting Wells, providing our students with the opportunity to learn and grow.
