Countdown to China!

It is hard to believe that in a day I will be embarking on a once in a lifetime trip to Beijing, China with other Student Programs staff, volunteers, and supporters of Operation Smile.  Together with twenty one high school and college student council leaders and five adult members of our Sponsor Board, we will be coordinating a massive undertaking.

Operation Smile's 20th annual International Student Conference will be held in in Beijing.  Not only will it be the first time the conference is held in Asia, but it will also be the largest conference participation to date.  More than 750 participants (mainly high school and college students) from more than 20 countries will be in attendance!  Students from Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Morocco, South Africa, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Egypt, Nicaragua, Mexico, India, Singapore, Brazil, Bolivia, United Arab Emirates and United States will be coming together through their commitment to make a difference in the world.

The theme of this year's conference is 'Now is the Time...' Now is the time to Lead...Now is the time to Inspire...Now is the time to BE SOMEONE...Now is a time to BE THE CHANGE...Now is the time to make a difference!

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." All of these students are attending this conference - some to take their first step in making a difference for others around the world, and others to continue taking steps to leave a positive impact. All are coming together on a journey to create and share smiles worldwide.

The student conference is part of an even bigger initiative this year - Operation Smile's 20th Anniversary in China! To commemorate 20 years of creating smiles in China, Operation Smile and Operation Smile China will hold The Celebration of Smiles to provide over 2,000 new smiles for children in need. Operation Smile’s medical volunteers will work at over 20 medical missions located throughout China from January to November 2011. Find more information at http://www.operationsmile.org/china-20th-anniversary/. 

Tomorrow at 6am, I will be off - 1st stop Newark, 2nd stop Beijing! For the next 5 days we will be working hard to finalize details and plans.  I'm looking forward to the 26th when the students leaders and Sponsor Board members arrive, as they are a huge part of planning this conference and essential to its success.  Through the year, and for some many years, these leaders have become a tight-knit group that works tirelessly to move Operation Smile's efforts and its Student Programs forward.  We are very grateful for all of their continued support!

For today, there is still much left to do....like PACKING!!  You would think after my trips to Senegal, Kenya, India and now China for the 2nd time, I would be a pro at packing, but it is never easy.  Especially since this will be the longest trip away - more than 3 weeks.  After China, a friend/coworker of mine are headed to Vietnam to relax and embrace another new Asian culture before we head home.  Hopefully we will be able to keep you posted on our adventures there as well.

Stay tuned for more updates from Beijing!