But if you are born in a country where everyone has to pay for their own health care, for many a medical intervention becomes impossible.The children who are born have difficulties with food intake, suffer from malnutrition and eventually die. If they do grow up despite these circumstances, they often become outsiders, as many of them are not allowed to go to school, interact with family and friends, or show themselves in public. This is because many believe that the person or family is haunted by evil spirits, that they have done something for which they are being punished, or simply that the condition is contagious. Many children live hidden away in huts and dark rooms.

Operation Smile carries out 150-200 missions each year in different countries, is present in many countries and works in these places both short and long term. The staff return year after year to the same places so that the people can come back.

I, Monica, now had the privilege of being there on their behalf during my first engagement. In the first days after our arrival we unpacked material and equipment and set up a complete little hospital. We were in a wing of a former hospital that we were allowed to use. Now we set up a hospital room for care, a recovery room, a play therapy room, a patient hotel and, last but not least, surgery rooms. We had two operating tables in each room, a total of six tables. (In Sweden there is only one patient per room).

Then began the big screening day where over 230 patients and their families came and we examined all the children / teenagers who might need surgery. We check whether they have no infection or other serious illness and decide whether and what should be operated on. The families then stay in the hospital while they wait for an operation, as many have had a long journey and little money at their disposal.

Many, both children and adults, are afraid and sceptical regarding health care and surgery as they are not used to doctors and nurses.