Patients Life-Changing Care Within Reach: For Tú and His Family the Journey to Surgery and Essential Care is Filled with Hope Even for patients in remote regions, Operation Smile’s global strategy makes safe surgery accessible for those who need it most. February 25, 2026 In a humble farmhouse at the base of the mountains of Khuôn Hà in Vietnam, a clothing line is strung heavily with children’s clothing. A tea pot bubbles with steam on a stove. It’s the home of Thiện, Thiếp and their children. Less than two years ago when Thiếp was pregnant, an ultrasound at a nearby hospital presented a new challenge for the family. “The doctor said [the baby] had a cleft lip,” recalls the 38-year-old mother. “Eating is a bit difficult. He can’t swallow well, and food often falls out,” says Thiện about Tú, now an 18 month old starting to discover the world around him. Each year, more than 2,000 children are born with a cleft condition in Vietnam , something that happens every three minutes around the world.…