Globe, Smile Train Help Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

Globe Telecom happily partners with Smile Train in order to bring smiles to children with cleft lip and palate. Smile Train helps children born with these physical anomalies all over the world. This time, they went to Mindanao.

Children with Cleft Lip and Palate are Many in Mindanao

Johnder was born with a cleft lip and palate in the Muslim Badjao tribe on the islands of Sulu. Here, cleft lips (a cut on the lip); cleft palates (a hole in the roof of the mouth), and other disabilities are a common sight.

The children grow up without corrective surgery due to lack of access to healthcare. His parents have accepted his condition until good news reached them one day. They heard that they could get a free surgery to fix Johnder’s condition.

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Globe Spearheads Campaign

Twenty more children like Johnder were given new hope by Globe Telecom and Smile Train. This group is an international children’s charity whose vision is to give every child born with a cleft a chance for change. They believe that with corrective surgery, the kids can grow up to have a full and productive life.

From the goodwill of its employees, customers, and partners, Globe raised funds to help Smile Train. The amount is able to provide comprehensive cleft care for at least 20 children.

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“Globe always makes it a point to give back to the communities. We continue to partner with different non-government organizations to help in social and environmental causes.” This was revealed by Miguel Bermundo, Director for Globe Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing.

This prompted Globe to tap Smile Train as a strategic partner in promoting well-being among disadvantaged Filipinos.

Miss Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train, Area Director, Smile Train Southeast Asia, feels thankful to Globe. “Smile Train is grateful for being a charity partner of Globe. By providing customers and their employees an opportunity to support our cause, many Filipinos born with a cleft have been given a second chance.”

A Simple Family Life

Johnder’s family moved to the outskirts of Davao City, building their own home on stilts. Their house was erected on trash-filled canal waters connected to the main road by flimsy man-made bridges.

Their living conditions have been difficult. Johnder’s father earned a living by selling knock-off signature sunglasses. But amidst all these challenges, his mother recounts their story with light and hope in her eyes.

Now a seven-year-old boy with a newly-operated lip just started attending school. Johnder no longer lives in fear of being bullied by his classmates. Instead, he races across their wobbly bridges everyday, excited to go to school with siblings and friends.

About Cleft Lip and Palate

At present, one in every 700 babies worldwide are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Many of them live in isolation while having difficulties eating, breathing, and speaking.

However, cleft repair surgery is simple and transformation is immediate, thereby, encouraging Smile Train to provide resources that will empower local doctors in over 90 countries to offer 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities.

In Bacolod City, we know that Comfydent Dental Clinic is a multi-specialty dental clinic that can correct these anomalies. The clinic is located in Malaspina Drive, Villamonte, Bacolod City, Read more about them: Comfydent Dental Clinic for Corrective Surgery  

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