Elinor’s Impact in Asuncion, Paraguay
Story by Dena Salehipour
Photos by Juanjo Marin
Elinor always knew that through her work with Operation Smile she was making an impact. But seeing it, feeling it, living it — that made her realize just how much.
We interviewed Elinor during the November surgical program in Asuncion, Paraguay, to find out more about her experience, which she described as, “Overwhelming at times, but in the best way possible.”
Operation Smile: Flying, North to South, from the U.S. to Paraguay, and seeing the impact that Operation Smile has on so many lives — how do you feel now?
Elinor Lee: I can see it a lot more. I didn’t understand how big of an impact it was until actually seeing it for myself. It’s huge. You hear about it online and you see the perfect picture after and before,but here you can see the actual processes in between.
OS: How does that make you appreciate it more, Operation Smile?
EL: It’s amazing seeing all that they do. You get to see the entire process, start to finish, the screening and how that works. And then after surgery, everything in between.
OS: And that’s full circle for you, right? I mean, you start fundraising. Yeah. I mean, I can’t imagine being a volunteer without seeing that impact and change that we all talk about so much. And you don’t have that opportunity every day like we do in our countries. So how do you feel having that experience now?
EL: I’m so happy to have the opportunity. Ever since I started with Operation Smile, that was like a big goal was to be able to see what I’m working toward and have it all come together.
OS: What things are you taking back to your club now?
EL: I’m going to give them every single story. I will tell them about how the families reacted, how the patients reacted, how grateful the families were and how kind the people here were. How kind the staff were and how well everything went together.
OS: Do you think that you had “it moments” during this program?
EL: There was another little boy who I bonded with on the surgery day. His name was Jesus and he was playing a little rough at first, throwing stuffed animals at me .But I didn’t ask him to stop because he was having so much fun with it. Then all of a sudden he calmed down and as I was brushing my hands through his hair, fell asleep. I was amazed by him.
