Conceived by Dr. Darryl Hodgkinson in 1992, Operation Restore Hope is a charity that surgically repairs cleft lips and palates for underpriviliged children in the Philippines. Our purpose is to correct deformities and facial disfigurement for those who without the donation of services would remain untreated and permanently disadvantaged.
Operation Restore Hope is made up of many US and other international volunteers. Our surgical mission visits the Philippines twice a year. All of our volunteers donate their time to treat the Filipino children who have birth defects, especially cleft lips and palates, along with any scarring. Of course, because of the number of people we find in need we are not always limited to children or persons with such specific ailments.
Our missions typically last one week. This includes setting up our equipment and screening patients, five to six days of surgical procedures and half a day to pack up. Throughout the week we constantly teach and develop the skills of the local medical staff who work alongside us. Much of the operating room equipment we use during our time in the Philippines is brought with us from home and/or donated.
David Pine, the New Zealand Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines wrote to us in June 2007 about why he is so impressed with our work. To read his letter, click here >>> |
