100 Smiles in 100 Days

Bala Darshan was born with a cleft lip, a condition that made it difficult for him to eat, breathe and speak properly. His parents, who lived in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, were devastated by the news, but they knew they had to do everything they could to help their son.

However, their family income of only 5000 rupees per month made it nearly impossible for them to afford the surgery and follow-up care that Bala Darshan needed. They tried to save as much as they could, but the medical expenses were just too high for them to handle alone. One day, a social worker from Mission Smile visited their village and told them about a program that provided free surgeries and medical care for children with cleft lips and palates.

Bala Darshan's parents were overjoyed to hear this news and immediately contacted the Mission Smile to see if their son was eligible. After a few weeks and medical evaluations in Chennai, Bala Darshan was deemed eligible for the program, and his surgery was scheduled. The day of the surgery was nerve-wracking for his parents, but they were relieved to see their son come out of the operating room looking healthier and happier than ever before.

In the weeks and months that followed, Bala Darshan received follow-up care from the medical team. His parents were amazed to see their son's transformation - he could eat and breathe more easily, and he was even starting to make sounds and try to speak. The family was grateful for the program and Colgate that had provided life-changing medical care for their son. They visited again February and were thankful to entire team.