Hakuna Matata!

A word often used in Kenya is “Hakuna Matata,” meaning ‘there is no problem’ or ‘no worries.’ As our journey begins, I have a feeling this is a phrase we will refer to over and over…

After 22 hours of traveling, including 18 hours in the air, the student team and I and many other volunteers arrived in Kenya!  Travels went abnormally well, with no delays, no missed flights, and no lost luggage. Hakuna MatataJ

It felt so good to finally arrive, bringing full realization to the journey we were about to embark on.

Many volunteers had arrived by the time we did, and we all stayed the night in a hotel in Nairobi, welcoming the chance to rest and get some sleep in a bed.  Not only was the travel somewhat exhausting, but had you seen our luggage, you would know that carting it around brought twice the exhaustion.  Most all of us packed light when it came to our own essential needs, but packed heavy with donations, donations, more donations and special gifts, all to leave behind with the patients, families, and new friends we meet along the way. Multiple suitcases were packed completely full of donations, some 50 pounds or more. 

There was no way we would all fit in two vans with our luggage too. So our coordinator decided to call for a third van, so we could get from the airport to the hotel in one trip, two vans for people and one van completely full with luggage.  When I say full, I mean FULL - from the seats to the roof. Hakuna MatataJ

We have not met the entire team yet, but already there is a sense of family and teamwork amongst all.  There is diversity but also unity: different backgrounds, different cultures, different countries, but all together as a team for one cause: to change lives, one smile at a time! Medical and non-medical volunteers have come from all over (Australia, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States – CA, FL, IL, MS, NM, NY, OH, UT, and VA).  There are approximately 27 volunteers from Kenya alone, with 62 volunteers total, but together 1 team!  Hakuna MatataJ

After a cold shower, one so cold that I forfeited washing my hair, and a good night’s sleep, we had a wonderful breakfast before boarding the buses to head to Nakuru, the site where new smiles would soon be created.  The next two and a half to three hours would be spent on the highway. 

Luckily, the road had been paved, which wasn’t the case not long ago.  However, our bus trip took longer than expected due to a flat tire.  Once the driver realized the tire blew out, we slowly pulled off the road.  There were not people, buildings or towns nearby, so we all got off the bus, sat in the grassy field next to the road and took time to sit and relax, taking in the scenery, the green brush, and the big blue sky.  The tire was removed and the spare replaced in no time. Hakuna MatataJ

Throughout the ride, I sat back taking it all in, in awe of this new experience, new country, new culture, and acknowledging and appreciating the similarities and differences.  We passed homes, stores, markets, and many people working or carrying out their daily ways of life: Some out in fields farming the land by hand, some working on landscaping, others selling fruits, vegetables and peanuts on the side of the road...  There were stands where animal skins were hanging out to dry and for sale. There were many vibrant colors, bringing buildings, homes, and schools to life. There was a scenic stop along the way, where we were able to get photos of the start of the Rift Valley and three mountains nearby. Kenya is a beautiful country and so are its people.

Now that we’ve made it to Nakuru, our destination for the next ten days, we’ve had the afternoon to settle in, grab lunch, and prepare ourselves for the busy days ahead that will consume our every ounce of energy, and we will joyfully give of it.  I am confident that this amazing team of volunteers from all over will make it through this medical mission with ease!

All we have to do is remember these two words – Hakuna MatataJ

Nur's New Smile

Smiles can fill your heart.  And right now my heart is full.

In his short stay in Virginia, my newest friend, Nur, made a profound impact on many lives, including myself.

Nur's life began in utter sadness.  He was born in a village in Assam, India with a very severe cleft.  A cleft that went from his lip to his eyes, causing him to only have half a nose and eyes that were pulled down.  He experienced abandonment and shame as soon as he was born, with his father deserting the family because of his son's facial deformity.  His father returned to the family a year later, but life was not easy for Nur.  School became unbearable so he had stopped attending early on. At such a young age, he experienced bullying, isolation, and shame, all because of the way he looked.

His uncle Nasi said that they visited many doctors in India, but all said there was nothing they could do for Nur's deformity.  They would not attempt to repair his cleft because they said it was not possible. Despite this, Nur's uncle and his family did not give up hope that Nur would one day be helped.

HOPE is a powerful thing.

In February 2010, Nasi heard about Operation Smile and that they were coming to Guwahati, India to help those affected with clefts.  He informed Nur's parents, and they decided to bring Nur to Guwahati that month to see if he could finally be helped.  They had to travel 190 kilometers (nearly 120 miles); this may not seem like a long distance but with the road conditions in India, it took more than five hours to travel to the medical mission site.  While there at the site, Nur was evaluated by many volunteer medical professionals and by Dr. Bill Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile. Dr. Magee said the magic words that Nur and his family had been hoping for, "Operation Smile could help Nur" but they would have to bring him to the United States.

Fast forward to September 2010, where I was fortunate to meet this little boy, Nur, when he arrived in Virginia Beach, VA. Initially, he was quiet, shy, and reserved with all he met, but once he realized that we were all so happy to meet him and were all there to support and help him, he quickly opened up.  Within was a bright, intelligent, sweet, courageous, energetic young boy.  He may be one of the smartest eight year old children I have ever met.  In less than a month he had learned the English alphabet, was counting to 10 - 20 - 30..., and was writing his name and other words.  Each and every moment, Nur was taking it all in, and repeatedly amazing us by his ability to learn so quickly, mostly from his own observation.

Over the next six months, Nur transformed from a boy whose deep sadness you could see in his eyes, to a boy whose energy, spirit and smile brightened the room.  It is amazing to notice a smile on the inside, just by looking at someone's eyes.  Not only was I lucky to see Nur's new smile on the outside, but I saw the smile that was on the inside; I saw his new smile in his eyes.

During his stay, Nur, Nasi and I made many visits to local schools (a few high schools and more than 15 elementary schools).  Each visit, Nur opened up more and more.  By the last presentation, he was helping me by clicking through each power point slide and playing a few tricks too (putting his hand in front of the projector light to make shadows on the board or disappearing into the crowd of students like he was a classmate listening in on the presentation too, instead of standing up front with me).

His story, his charm, and his strong desire to be normal just like the other students allowed him to become an immediate super star at every visit.  He received so many high fives, hand shakes, and even hugs. Each school welcomed him with open arms, a much different environment than his school back at home.  To witness his transformation and the transformation of the other students, who set aside physical differences to accept this boy and treat him like a classmate and a friend, was truly touching.

Though he says he wishes to be a doctor one day, I think he may also have a chance at professional basketball.  At schools, the students would crowd around as he sank hoop after hoop! Out in the soccer field, he held his own with 4th and 5th graders, all bigger in size and a few years older.  It didn't phase Nur at all.  He tried each and every game, and showed us that he was also quite the jump roper and monkey bar climber:)  Each school closed the visit with special gifts for Nur, as if the visit alone wasn't special enough.  By the time Nur had to begin packing for his return home, he had tons of school t-shirts,  hats, pens, notepads, jump ropes, balls, games, and more.  All special momentos for him to cherish always and remember the hundreds of students he met.

Nur made a profound impact on my life.  I witnessed an amazing example of the human spirit, what it can endure, and how through the compassion and kindness of so many, a life can be changed forever.  It was a bittersweet farewell to send Nur and Nasi back to their home and family in India, as they both had become family to so many here.  They touched so many lives in their short stay.

My life has been touched by this little boy and his uncle, and all who have donated their time, talents, energy and kindness to help restore a smile, inside and out.

Operation Smile Final Mile

Thousands of elementary students gave me a reason to smile this weekend.

More than 3,500 students, ages 6 to 12, participated in the Operation Smile Final Mile, Shamrock Sportsfest's youth event, in Virginia Beach, VA. Each of these students ran 25.2 miles in increments during the months preceding the race, and then ran their final mile this Saturday to complete a MARATHON!

Not only do they focus on their own fitness and helping themselves, but also helping others less fortunate.  Just by participating in the race, all of the runners helped raise awareness for Operation Smile, and many went the extra mile to help raise funds and smiles for those served by Operation Smile.

Operation Smile helps children in more than 25 countries around the world that are affected by cleft lip and cleft palate.  These children and their families either do not have the funds to afford the care they need, or the care needed simply isn't available. For every $240, Operation Smile medical volunteers can provide a free cleft lip surgery to a child in need.  

So far, the elementary runners in this year's race, have raised more than 170 smiles!  Over the past five years, participants in the race have raised more than 1,000 smiles - a truly amazing effort by elementary students.

 At the Race Expo

At the Pre-Race Celebration with Nur

 3rd year runner, Tony, was also born with a cleft

Nur on the mic:)

 Teachers and a student competing for the '2011 Silly Shamrock Contest'

And here are the winners!

The girls are excited for their special race start with Nur!

The Start Line

And their off!

Learn more about the event at www.operationsmile.org/finalmile and www.shamrockmarathon.com.