By Tina D. Fischlin, past governor of District 6910 and a past president of the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, Greensboro, Georgia

Sometimes the most powerful changes in the world happen in just a few hours. That’s exactly what I witnessed during the recent Alliance for Smiles surgical mission to Lagos, Nigeria — where a team of dedicated volunteers helped change the futures of children born with cleft lip and palate conditions.

For many families in this region, specialized medical care simply isn’t accessible. A child born with a cleft condition may face difficulty eating, speaking, or breathing. Even more heartbreaking, many children experience social stigma that can keep them from attending school or participating fully in community life.

But for one remarkable week, hope showed up in the form of surgeons, nurses, speech specialists, and volunteers from around the world.

One goal: changing lives

From the very first day, the team jumped straight into action.

Patients and their families arrived with anticipation and courage. Volunteers registered children, captured medical photographs, and conducted detailed health screenings. Each child was evaluated for speech development, anesthesia readiness, and overall surgical safety so the team could ensure the best possible outcomes.

Then the real work began.

Over the next several days, the team performed free cleft lip and palate surgeries — procedures that take only a few hours but can completely transform a child’s life. After surgery, children can breathe easier, eat normally, speak more clearly, and smile with confidence.

Journeys of courage

One story that will stay with me is Maria’s.

Maria is nine years old and was born with a cleft lip. When she and her mother arrived at the clinic in Lagos, they carried both hope and uncertainty. Maria had endured years of stares and whispers in her community.

But after her unilateral cleft lip surgery, the change was immediate.

By the first day after surgery, Maria’s new smile told the whole story — joy, relief, and the promise of a fresh start. She and her mother left the clinic beaming with gratitude.

Another mother, holding her baby after surgery, quietly shared through a translator: “You have given my child a new life.”

Moments like that were common throughout the week. Each story was a powerful reminder of a parent’s love and the resilience of families who travel long distances for a chance at care.

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