At the beginning of this year, Operation Smile at Fordham University founder and president, Eliza Boggia, packed her bag and headed off to pilot the first U-Voice University Student Mission. Eliza went through an rigorous application process, received online training and joined one of the first Operation Smile Medical Missions in Bangladesh. Her job was to record the stories of the many patients and families whose lives were changed by the organization. Her insights not only paved the way for future university student involvement but also provided organization with touching stories to spread awareness and touch the hearts of thousands of Operation Smile supporters. Co-founder of Operation Smile Bill Magee always says, "Reason leads to conclusions, but emotions lead to action." Statistics of how many children are born with facial deformities can only do so much to inspire others. By looking into the lives of individuals, Operation Smile can show others how vital these surgeries really are. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without the ability to eat, speak, or smile like everyone else. Eliza recorded precious stories about the struggles these patients faced after surgery and how their lives were dramatically changed after surgery. Her role as a photo journalist is crucial to the long term success of the organization. We are proud to say that the Northeast region has produced such a strong leader, and we are excited to see how the new mission initiative progresses to include new applicants.
For a closer look at Eliza's stories, check out her club blog Fordham Smiles
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