Last week a group of six students went to Da Lat to participate in the international Operation Smile surgical mission taking place. Although the group arrived after the start of the mission, due to exams, they were warmly welcomed and quickly found something to do. Students helped the medical team in pre-op, taking care of families and helping distract children from stress and boredom, in the play room. UNIS students also helped to prepare the children for operations and in post-operative care where they diverted the patient’s attention from their pain by playing games or simply keeping them company. Students whowere willing also had the opportunity to see operations inprogress and witnesstheprocess that changes these children’s lives forever. Despite the fact that the mission was shorter than usual the students all gained a great deal. Experiencing the conditions in which others live and seeing the obstacles which they must overcome can put many of the issues that we perceive as problems into perspective. UNIS is privileged to be able to participate in this event each year and would like to thank everyone who made it possible as well as those who donated the clothing and books that were distributed and gratefully received by the patients and their families.
By Marisa Rama
Grade 11
For more information about
Operation Smile or
to make a donation please look at the website: www.operationsmile.org
United Nations International
School of Hanoi
UNIS is a not-for-profit international school offering the
full International Baccalaureate from Discovery (for 3 year
olds) to Grade 12. It is also fully accredited by the European
Council of International Schools and the New England Association
of Schools and Colleges.
Last week a group of six students went to Da Lat to participate in the international Operation Smile surgical mission taking place. Although the group arrived after the start of the mission, due to exams, they were warmly welcomed and quickly found something to do. Students helped the medical team in pre-op, taking care of families and helping distract children from stress and boredom, in the play room. UNIS students also helped to prepare the children for operations and in post-operative care where they diverted the patient’s attention from their pain by playing games or simply keeping them company. Students
whowere willing also had the opportunity to see operations inprogress and witnesstheprocess that changes these children’s lives forever. Despite the fact that the mission was shorter than usual the students all gained a great deal. Experiencing the conditions in which others live and seeing the obstacles which they must overcome can put many of the issues that we perceive as problems into perspective. UNIS is privileged to be able to participate in this event each year and would like to thank everyone who made it possible as well as those who donated the clothing and books that were distributed and gratefully received by the patients and their families. 
