In 1982, Dr. Bill Magee and Kathy Magee, his wife, traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates in its very first mission in Naga City, Camarines Sur. They discovered hundreds of children with deformities, and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need, and Operation Smile was born.
In August 18, 1988, Operation Smile Philippines Foundation, Inc. (OSP) was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, not-for-profit organization. It is an operating organization. Its main office is located at 19th Floor UCPB Corporate Offices Building.
Its purposes (V-M-G), among others, are “to mobilize a world of generous hearts to heal children’s smiles and transform lives; and to provide free constructive surgery to indigent Filipino children afflicted with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities”. The Foundation’s programs/projects now focus on the following areas: Conducted Medical Missions for the following: medical evaluation; dental care; speech instruction; surgery and trainings on Basic Life Support & Pediatric Life Support. Geographical scope of programs: Nationwide.
