Bringing smiles to world's poorest children

Anaesthetist Dr Phil McDonald (46) has been working with volunteer surgeons to provide free reconstructive treatment for children with facial disfigurements, including cleft lips and palates.

Phil travelled to Jimma in south western Ethiopia, where he worked alongside medical and non-medical volunteers to treat facially disfigured children.

He said: "I have been working as a volunteer with Operation Smile for over 12 years. When you see the desperation of the parents and children at their first screening and then the sheer joy, elation and disbelief when their child's face is transformed to normal, you feel compelled to go back every year to help as many children as possible."

For full story see West Sussex Gazette November 28