Students looking to volunteer abroad will now have the opportunity to put smiles on kids’ faces wherever they go. Alise Bailey, a sophomore majoring in International Studies, has just started a new club called Operation Smile University.

Calling it an incredible passion close to her heart, Bailey is looking to increase awareness of the Operation Smile organization and the life-changing opportunities it provides kids around the world.

Operation Smile, an international medical children’s charity, was founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, after they visited the Philippines to voluntarily help fix children’s cleft lips and palettes.

Today, the organization performs more than 200,000 free reconstructive surgeries a year in comprehensive care centers staffed by thousands of credentialed medical volunteers.

“What they do, it’s fantastic,” said Bailey. “Before Operation Smile comes, these kids are treated as outcasts in their societies, uneducated and abandoned. What we can do, how we can change their lives, it’s worth every moment.”

According to Bailey, Operation Smile University hopes to develop as a club this year.

“We really just want to establish ourselves as a club, get our name out there,” said Bailey. “People really aren’t familiar with the issue; they don’t know what cleft lips are or how they affect people. So our goal is to make Operation Smile a growing presence on the DU campus.”

Although the club has just started, Bailey said they’re looking to put together an executive board in the near future.

“It’s really easy to get involved with Operation Smile,” said Bailey, who started a similar, now thriving, club at her high-school. “We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic about helping others. It’s a low-commitment club that meets once or twice a month.”

Bailey also mentioned there are many opportunities, both on campus as well as domestically and internationally, to get involved with the charity organization.

Members who are involved with Operation Smile University, or those who want to get involved, will have the chance to participate in Operation Smile’s three university-student targeted programs: U VOICE, U PAVE and U LEAD.

According to Bailey, U VOICE sends college journalists on medical missions around the world to report and share their stories with donors, supporters and volunteers worldwide. U PAVE encourages university students to educate elementary, middle and high schools about Operation Smile. Finally, U LEAD is an opportunity for students to organize and lead a conference in one of Operation Smile’s partner countries.

“Operation Smile also offers a really great conference over the summer that trains students for international missions,” said Bailey.

Bailey participated in a summer conference two years ago, and volunteered  over her high school senior year spring break in one of the poorest regions in China.

“The summer conference is a prerequisite if you want to volunteer abroad. From my personal experience it’s an awesome and incredible opportunity,” said Bailey.

With a current presence in more than 51 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the United States and the Caribbean, Operation Smile is a growing force dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children.

“Operation Smile really mobilizes people to help heal children’s smiles and transform their lives,” said Bailey.