Having the chance to help people smile is a life-changing gift that I was fortunate enough to receive through Operation Smile Philippines.
My journey began in 10th grade, when I was invited by a friend to attend a medical mission in Cebu City. I agreed out of curiosity.
As the days went on, I found myself feeling excited at the prospect of experiencing what it was like to be an OpSmile student volunteer. Little did I know that giving in to mere curiosity would ignite my passion for helping others.
The mission site came as an overwhelming shock to a 10th grader like me. There they all were—kids and young adults with cleft conditions. While I felt so much sympathy, I also felt u…
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