Following a pandemic-induced pause in 2020, wellness and beauty retailer Watsons teams up with Operation Smile Philippines to once again bring smiles to children affected by cleft and lip palate.
“[T]his year, we are back with Smile For Good,” said Viki Encarnacion, PR and sustainability director of Watsons.
Watsons has been a partner of Operation Smile Philippines for the past nine years and have helped transform the lives of 1,986 patients. This year's partnership aims to provide free surgeries to 50 children.
“Of course we will be very mindful of the physical distancing restrictions, but our desire to continue to bring smiles to the children has not wavered,” reassured Encarnacion.
Aided by technology, Watsons Philippines pharmacists and employee volunteers will conduct hygiene orientation seminars online for the patients' families on the subject of postoperative feeding and oral and lip care. Watsons will also provide Hygiene Care Kits with oral and hand care products to the 50 kids after the operation.
In the Philippines, one in 500 children born has a cleft and lip palate condition, a gap in the mouth that did not close during the early stages of pregnancy. Operation Smile Philippines has helped change the lives of many children born with this condition since 1982.
This partnership is part of A. S. Watson's global commitment to bring 10,000 perfect smiles. It also aims to educate the public and raise awareness about cleft and lip palate conditions.
“We are very proud to be partners with Watsons on this project for nine years running. Their dedication to transform lives despite the pandemic is really admirable, and Operation Smile is happy to be doing this with them,” said Emiliano Romano, executive director of Operation Smile Philippines.
Aside from partnering with Operation Smile, A. S. Watson Philippines is engaging with its employees, strategic partners, and customers to contribute time and financial support in order to sponsor as many free surgical missions as possible.
It takes as few as 45 minutes to provide a bright, beautiful new smile and a healthier, happier future to a child born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. Visit Operation Smile Philippines to know how to help make a difference in these children’s lives.