Tendral Meytok Gurung, from Nepal, was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate in April 2008.  Not being able to care for her and fearing her deformities were a curse, her family left her in a basket in a woodshed to die, in the same building where her brother – born with the same defect – had been left to die.   

In the summer while trekking through the Upper Dolpo region in northern Nepal, Buddhist monk Lama Tenzin Choegyal learned about Tendral and rescued the little girl.  Tendral’s family has three other healthy children and agreed to let Lama Tenzin care for Tendral. 

He took her on a 30-day journey across mountains to an orphanage he established in northern India for orphans and underprivileged children in the region.  Lama Tenzin and his family founded an organization called the Children’s Education Development (CED) Society. The children receive an education and are returned back to the villages so that they can share what they’ve learned; helping to elevate/educate the other villagers. Lama Tenzin became concerned about the survival of Tendral because of the difficulty she had drinking from a bottle. 
....

Seven-month-old Tendral arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, with guardians Lama Tenzin and his sister Samchue Negi on December 8.  Operation Smile, in partnership with Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), provided Tendral with free reconstructive surgery on December 18.  Operation Smile CEO and Co-founder Dr. Bill Magee performed the four-hour surgery to repair Tendral’s cleft lip and cleft palate and said, “By helping a child, what we do is send a message about humanity to the world.” 

Released from CHKD on December 20, Tendral is recovering well.  Tendral joins more than 200 other patients treated through Operation Smile’s World Care Program.  She will now be able to eat, drink and speak normally.  “This little baby, she will be back some day, one of the most beautiful and educated,” Lama Tenzin said.  “It’s not changing the life of one child.  It’s changing the entire history of Upper Dolpo.” 

In Nepal, Tendral’s name means “harmony flower,” and everyone involved in helping this baby hopes she blossoms into a happy and healthy girl.  Tendral will leave Norfolk on January 17 and return to Lama Tenzin’s orphanage.  For more information, visit   www.himalayankids.org

 

Together we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity

  www.OperationSmile.org

Visit our MySpace profile, recruit friends to join our Facebook Cause page,

 or become our friend on Facebook

Donate now | Tell a friend | View as Web page

Dear Smile Friend,

Holiday shopping doesn't have to be a hassle. You can make this season of giving the simplest and most meaningful ever - with just a click of the mouse.

It just takes a moment to check out Operation Smile's Holiday Gift Catalog.
You're going to love the life-changing gifts inside. And your friends and family will too.

You should have received your catalog in the mail.
But you can begin shopping our online catalog right now.

Get the whole family involved in shopping for smiles, and feel the joy that comes from giving gifts that change lives.

But don't hesitate. There are only 9 shopping days left if you want to receive your beautiful, free gift cards in time for the holidays.

Thank you for bringing even more smiles to children around the world during this season of giving.

Sincerely yours,

Bill Magee, D.D.S., M.D.
Co-founder and CEO

P.S.
Click here to pass this e-mail on to friends and associates, so they can join you in spreading smiles and changing lives.

Great gifts to give in the name of friends and loved ones.

Hospital gowns for 20 children

Send Smile Bags to kids overseas

Cozy warm blankets for 6 children