Story Written by Isabelle (Izzie) Fortuna

When Folksong was born in Amnatcharoen with a cleft lip and palate, his parents vowed to do all they could to help their son. However, they were worried they could not afford the high cost of his medical treatment. As a technician for a television company and staff member at a supermarket, they reached out to Operation Smile and drove 100 km to a mission site, hoping the foundation could help.

When they arrived at the hospital during screening day, they were surprised at the number of children present. They were never aware that so many children in Thailand were like their son.

Folksong received his cleft lip and cleft palate operation in Ubon Ratchathani in 2013. Afterwards, his mother cried tears of happiness, as she felt her son could finally have the same opportunities as other children. He will not have to worry about others treating him differently, simply because of a facial deformity.

One year later during a follow up visit, she says how she is still so grateful and happy that her son was treated. She is amazed at how well his lip healed and barely shows a scar. In a card, she wrote “Thank you for this medical mission, I hope you continue to create new smiles for more children like Folksong. Thank you to all volunteers, doctors and the Operation Smile Team for brightening up Folksong’s life”.