There is nothing more endearing than a child’s smile.
Yet, sadly, many children around the world are born with cleft deformities. Approximately 1 in 700 children worldwide is born with cleft conditions, making it difficult for them to eat, drink, speak and smile.
To help address this global challenge, Mubadala joined forces with Operation Smile UAE, to sponsor three international volunteering missions in 2023. The first mission went to Egypt, where five Mubadala volunteers, along with a medical team from Mubadala Health, supported children as they underwent transformative procedures for cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial conditions.
Out of 143 cases screened during the week-long mission, 78 surgeries were performed successfully, allowing those children to lead a happy life free of bullying and stigma.
The second mission took Mubadala deeper into the African continent. In Koforidua, a Ghanaian city located some 60 kilometers to the north of the capital Accra, seven Mubadala volunteers assisted the Operation Smile team who carried out 89 life-changing surgeries for young patients.
In parallel to the cleft surgeries, a dental and nutrition campaign was launched, during which over 20 dental corrections were done alongside 79 nutrition briefings. Through donations, Mubadala employees raised over AED 22,000, which was used to provide basic needs and essential supplies for patients and their families.
Our partnership with Operation Smile UAE is in line with our continued commitment to making positive change in communities around the world. Further missions are planned, including returning to Egypt, with Mubadala’s team of volunteers joining medical teams from different parts of the world.
Mubadala’s Employee Volunteering Program is a purpose-driven engagement platform that provides meaningful opportunities for employees to contribute their time, skills and charity to the community. The Program was launched in 2018, with a focus on supporting the Special Olympic World Games and has continued to evolve, enabling the organization to make a difference through volunteering activities in line with its responsible investment approach.
The accompanying videos show highly emotional moments involving both parents and volunteers who lived together through the whole process of screening and testing all the way to celebrating the resounding success of the operations.
Paralegal, UAE Investments
How do you evaluate the impact of Mubadala’s involvement in this campaign?
The impact of Mubadala in this mission was undoubtedly significant and life-changing for many children in need. They provided the opportunity and funding for these surgeries and played a crucial role in transforming the lives of these children and their families. Mubadala’s contributions had a ripple effect on the community as well; by investing in the healthcare and well-being of these children, they brought smiles to their faces but also hope and inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
Vice President, Group Finance
How do you evaluate the impact of Mubadala’s involvement in this campaign?
The mission has changed lives of over 100 children and their families. Mubadala’s support does not just stop at surgery. Even those not eligible to get the surgery are being supported through nutrition programs to make the children eligible in the future when their health and weight are at the level required. Mubadala also provided much needed dental support and speech therapy for those children who required this, whether they are eligible or not for the surgery. I admired the dedication and resilience of the medical staff who worked long days consecutively to see as many children as possible. The ability to come together and gel for one cause without having necessarily worked together before is impressive and the epitome of teamwork.
Director, Human Capital
Analyst, Direct Investments
Screening days were very stressful as we got to know the patients and their families, and we had to wait with them for the decision. I am very happy for the number of patients who got to do the surgery during the mission. I remember the moment when many families got discharged together. They were singing to us beautiful words “God bless you all”. It was very lovely and heart-warming. Being on the ground, interacting with the families was very special and memorable. Witnessing their fear and stress transform to happiness and laughter post-surgery can’t be expressed in words, As a team, we tried our best to support the families by being there, cheering them up and encouraging them to be strong for their kids.
When talking about my experience, I have to mention the youngest baby we met who was only two months old. It was too early for her to do the surgery as she wasn’t fit enough; she needed to grow and gain some weight. The mother broke my heart as she burst to tears when she was told that her child was not doing the surgery at this cycle. I felt really sorry for her, particularly when she told me that her husband had abandoned the family, leaving her to take care of her five kids all by herself.
I would really encourage everyone to be part of these missions no matter where the location is. You might think language would be a barrier; but trust me, when you are there looking into their eyes you would understand them easily.
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