Letter to Smile Train

Sent to:

• Satish Kalra, Regional Director of Smile Train, South Asia
• DeLois Greenwood, Vice President of Smile Train
• Dr Hirji Adenwalla, Head of Dept Charles Pinto Centre

Dear Mr Satish Kalra,

My name is Alia Nadhirah Ahmad Fakhri and I am a first year medical student of Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Malaysia. A year ago, I stumbled upon a Smile Train ad in a magazine. I was so moved by their motto of "Changing the world one smile at a time" that it prompted me to raise funds for the organization. When I surfed online, I also happened to read an article about Dr Hirji Adenwalla. I was equally inspired by his method of raising funds for the Smile Train through giving talks that I decided to emulate his noble work. My dad took one step further and suggested that the funds raised and a banner -for which donors would sign on- would be personally delivered to Dr Adenwalla's clinic, the Charles Pinto Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate in Thrissur, India.

Thus, my project was launched. I gave speeches at several places and those who donated were given the opportunity to sign on the huge banner. Over a period of 8 months, I managed to raise an unimaginable (according to my standards) 600USD and 320 RPI from the kind souls and generous hearts of Malaysian donors.

What I would like to highlight to you is about my visit to the Centre there; I was greeted with so much warmth and friendliness. Although I am just a first year student, the team of doctors - Dr Hirji Adenwalla, Dr Narayanan, Dr Pashupathi - explained to me the cleft lip deformities and the surgical procedures with extreme and admirable patience. I was given the opportunity to sit in the clinic to watch outpatients, go for ward rounds, enter the ICU and observe surgeries in the operating theatre.

What I observed from my two-day visit is the immensely dedicated and passionate team of doctors and healthcare practitioners in the clinic. You have remarkable people onboard this wonderful organization.

I was greatly impressed with the quality control and how Smile Train is fully funding the expenses for the cleft treatment and surgery. To me, this is of immense virtuous efforts. Many people are inspired by the project done but honestly, I think it is this organization's mission and vision which has ignited such a passion. Should you wish to have a glimpse of my journey at the Centre, please visit my blog at at www.anadhirah.blogspot.com. Please continue with the great work so that many more people will be inspired and more smiles can be added to this world.

Warmest Regards,

Alia Nadhirah

MBBS 1st Year

CUCMS, Malaysia