BRINGING A SMILE TO YOUNG FACES F I D I C H ARI TY While FIDI Charity fundraising has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, FIDI Focus takes a look back at the last FIDI-funded mission, for the charity Operation Smile Honduras, which took place in December 2019. By Lydia Cope, FIDI Customer Relations Officer B etween 2016 and 2019, 330 children born with a cleft lip received lifesaving surgery funded exclusively by FIDI Charity donations to Operation Smile Honduras (OSH). The final mission at the end of 2019 saw 130 children receiving operations thanks to the fundraising efforts of FIDI Affiliates. The mission took place at Hospital Leonardo Martnez, in San Pedro Sula. More than 60 volunteers from Honduras and abroad, including doctors, surgeons, psychologists, nutritionists and dentists came together to perform surgery and give aftercare to children, young people and adults. The mission had been subject to long delays. It was originally expected to take place in the summer last year, but because of an outbreak of dengue fever, it had been unsafe for OSH volunteers to fly in and perform the operations. The patient evaluation days ran from 30 November to 2 December 2019, where the children were assessed to see if they were fit for surgery. Those approved for treatment, were operated on between 3-8 December. All patients received follow-up treatment in OSHs primary hospital in Tegucigalpa, including speech and auditive therapy, dentistry, psychological support, plastic surgery and paediatric support. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the FIDI OSH Charity project. LYDIA COPE, FIDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER One of the children who received lifesaving surgery A pre-surgery evaluation taking place Surgeons performing a cleft lip repair operation Parents and children wait for an evaluation at the FIDI-sponsored mission WW W. F I D I. O R G FF297 JunJul20 pp46-47 Charity.indd 47 Aftercare of an OSH patient 47 01/06/2020 15:36