Let’s Hang Out (Virtually)
All right, so we all know about the Coronavirus: It’s the contagious disease that has all of us hunkered down at home so we can prevent it from spreading. But staying in doesn’t have to mean we can’t keep sharing smiles with each other (and the world)! That’s why we’ve started our global #StayatHomeWithaSmile campaign!
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¡Quedémonos en casa con una sonrisa! Todos sabemos que el Coronavirus es la enfermedad contagiosa que nos ha dejado a todos en casa para que podamos evitar que se propague. Pero quedarse en casa no quiere decir que no podamos continuar creando sonrisas en el mundo. Es por esto que vamos a iniciar nuestra campaña global #MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa.
Fitness Friday, May 22, 2020
Omar and Sara of Team Egypt tag-team this Fitness Friday to really put a focus on why working out and a healthy diet help you do your best every day.
Surprise Thursday, May 21, 2020
Our friend Mohamed from Team Egypt shares a magic trick with us for Surprise! Thursday!
Watch Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Trivia Tuesday, May 19, 2020
To play, head to our @osstudpro Instagram and click on our archived “Trivia” stories.
Make Something Monday, May 18, 2020
Meet our amazing student team from Egypt! They’re our #StayAtHomeWithASmile hosts for this week, and they’ve kicked it off with not just one, but TWO cute crafts that make delightful gifts for your siblings as well as our patients.
Our friend Mariam Taghain of our Egyptian student team shows us how to create these adorable stuffed-animal keychains! It’s a cute little gift to make for your siblings, and it’s such a great idea for a craft table at a medical mission!
All you need is:
- Felt
- Needle
- Thread
- Markers
Noran Mohamed shows us how to create a little paper puppet we can make for our young patients during medical missions!
All you need is:
- A paper roll
- Paper
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
Celebrate Sunday, May 17, 2020
Hosting the week of May 17-23, meet our amazing student volunteers from Egypt who have prepared a great slate of activities for us!
Spread the Love Saturday, May 16, 2020
On this Spread the Love Saturday, our friend Nhu from team Vietnam shares how her dad, the amazing Mr. Viet Tu, got her involved with Operation Smile. Who introduced you to Operation Smile? Spread the Love and reach out to that person — or that group of people — and remind them of how much they’re meant to you and your own journey with the organization.
Fitness Friday, May 15, 2020
To get us moving on this Fitness Friday, Bao Han and Manh Tung present the global debut of their handwashing dance!
Of course, Operation Smile student volunteers are pros when it comes to proper handwashing, since they teach it to our youngest patients during medical missions!
Surprise! Thursday May 14, 2020
In what’s sure to bring a smile to your face, our friends Manh Tung and Bao Han delight us with their rendition of “Heal The World.”
Watch Wednesday May 13, 2020
For Watch Wednesday, our friend Vy recommends watching this “Talk Vietnam” interview with the co-founders of Operation Smile.
Trivia Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Make Something Monday, May 11, 2020
“Long days and hours at Operation Smile Vietnam could be challenging and tiring for our patients as well as for both our medical and non-medical volunteers,” our friend An says. “For me, I believe music can keep our children well entertained and relax the stressful minds for doctors and parents too. Therefore, I create this music speaker.”
Celebration Sunday, May 10, 2020
We’re so happy to introduce you to our student team from Vietnam! They’ve curated a fun set of activities for the week, and we’re so honored to have them take part in our campaign.
Fitness Friday, May 8, 2020
Thanks to our friend Madisyn of the Dignity Project for walking us through this weekend workout!
Surprise! Thursday, May 7, 2020
The team behind the Dignity Project made this lovely coloring page for you to enjoy on this Surprise! Thursday.
Watch Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Click the button to watch “Period: End of Sentence,” the movie recommended by the teams powering the Dignity and Cook Stove projects.
Trivia Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Head to our @osstudpro Instagram to take part in our Cook Stove Project trivia!
Make Something Monday, May 4, 2020
As we likely have all these materials around the house, let’s do our best to put together Smile Bags for our patients.
You’ll need:
- A cotton drawstring bag
- Small shampoo (.85 to 1.4 oz size, screw-on top only)
- Small comb (no rat tails)
- New wash cloth
- Bar of soap (small hotel size)
- Travel-sized toothpaste (at least 6 months from expiration date)
- Child-sized toothbrush (single package)
- Small stuffed animal (Beanie Baby® size)
- 8-pack box of non-toxic crayons
- Thin 8.5” x 11” coloring book
- Small square mirror (approximate size 3”x 3”)
We’re so grateful that you’d take the time to made Smile Bags — thank you so much! You can ship them to Operation Smile Global Headquarters, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23453.
Spread the Love Saturday, May 2, 2020
Our Italian student volunteers present the lovely cards made by our youngest volunteers for our health-care heroes in Italy and around the world.
BONUS: Spread the Love Saturday
Our friends from Italy have really Spread the Love today, sharing with us an extra gift to mark the occasion: Student Lucrezia shares a fun, curated playlist guaranteed to make you smile.
Fitness Friday, May 1, 2020
This Smile Circuit workout is sure to make you smile — and break a sweat! Thanks to our friends from Italy for putting this together.
Surprise! Thursday, April 30, 2020
Lodovico from our Italian student team brings a little magic to our #StayAtHomeWithASmile campaign!
Watch Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Today is Watch Wednesday, and our friend Daniel from our Italian student team has a recommendation for ya: “Stand By Me.” It’s an inspiring take on friendship — and who doesn’t need that during this time? Hear more in his video review above!
Trivia Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Our superstar student volunteers from Italy walk us through a critical skill, especially during these times: how to properly wash our hands.
Make Something Monday, April 27, 2020
Pull out your markers and paper! For Make It Monday, our Italian student team wants you to make a special card for a loved one or volunteer.
From our friends in Italy: “During this stay home time we decided to fight the virus with a smile. We decided to paint and to represent our ideas of a smile, what makes us smile, what makes us happy.”
Celebrate Sunday, April 26, 2020
Hosting the week of April 26 to May 2, our fantastic student leaders from Italy have curated a fun slate of activities for us all to do together! Be sure to stay tuned!
Spread the Love Saturday, April 25, 2020
Our U.S. Western + Southern team want to help us do our part in keeping our communities safe. That’s why they’re teaching us how to make face masks for today’s #StayAtHomeWithASmile activity.
No Sew Face Mask Instructions:
Materials:
- handkerchief or a piece of fabric similar in size
- two rubber bands
Steps:
- Lay the fabric on a flat surface and fold it to the width of a face mask
- Slip the rubber bands on the ends of the folded fabric, leave about 6 inches in the middle for your face
- Take the ends that are on the outside of the rubber bands, and fold them toward the center
- Your mask is ready to wear. Slip the rubber bands behind your ears as ear loops, and the fabric section will cover your mouth and nose
Fitness Friday, April 24, 2020
Get up and play a round of Virtual Simon Says with our U.S. Western + Southern student leaders!
Suprise! Thursday, April 23, 2020
Today’s challenge from our U.S. Western + Southern student leaders: Give a shout-out to your friends and families (and pets, too!) whose support is making you smile during quarantine.
Watch Wednesday, April 22, 2020
These sports-themed recommendations from our U.S. West + South team are sure to inspire you!
Make Something Monday, April 20, 2020
During this time, many of us have been busy reading (or at least putting it on our to-do list). Our leaders from the U.S. Southern + Western regions see you and have offered up a couple kinds of bookmarks you can make!
Origami Heart Bookmark
- Get a square piece of paper.
- Fold it diagonally to get a triangle.
- Fold it in half to get a right triangle.
- Unfold the right triangle and fold the tip of the triangle to the bottom.
- Fold the side pieces to the middle. Unfold the side pieces.
- Fold the left and right angle towards the top.
- Tuck it in the pocket.
- Flip the paper over and draw a heart shape.
- Cut it out and decorate!
Paint Bookmarks
- Cut out a 5 cm by 15 cm rectangle on sturdy paper. We used cardstock.
- Use watercolors or acrylic paint to create designs.
- If you don’t have watercolors, mix acrylic paint with water.
- Optional: Use glitter glue and pens.
- Let it dry and read!
Celebration Sunday, April 19, 2020
Meet the South+West team! These student leaders from the U.S. Southern and Western regions are hosting this week’s slate of activities, so be sure to tune in!
Fitness Friday, April 17, 2020
Our students from the U.S. Northern region recommend a handful of songs to add to your workout playlist!
Surprise! Thursday, April 16, 2020
Watch Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Our friends from the Northern region of the U.S. have arranged a Netflix watch party for all of us!
At 7:30 p.m. EST, let’s gather together and watch “Miracle” (2004).
“In this time of uncertainty and frustration across the globe, finding motivation and inspiration within our current routines can be challenging,” our friends said. “This Watch Wednesday, let’s watch “Miracle” together. It’s the story of the U.S. Olympic hockey team’s triumph over the USSR in the 1981 Olympics. The movie tells a story of adversity, resilience, and eventual victory to inspire us during these times.
As the team’s coach says in the movie, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.” Let’s take this spirit and do what we can in the present situation.
To watch along in the Netflix Party, you’ll need to use the Chrome extension!
Here’s how to join us:
- First and foremost, here’s a YouTube video that walks you through downloading the Netflix Party Google Chrome extension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx4XZpbnFig
- Using Google Chrome, go to netflixparty.com
- Download the free Chrome extension. On the top right of your browser, the NP logo should appear
Make Something Monday, April 13
Our amazing student leaders from the U.S. Northern region asked everyone to make posters that show our support to passers-by. Here are posters that were shared with us!
Spread the Love Saturday, April 11, 2020
From our friends at the Frankfurt International School:
“It’s time for Spread the Love Saturday! To still stay in contact with your friends, we challenge you to call them and just spend some fun time together. Screenshot it and share it on Instagram tagging @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenaccion and using #StayAtHomeWithASmile and #MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa.
“Thank you for a great week of #StayAtHomeWithASmile with us! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Lots of love from Germany!”
Fitness Friday, April 11, 2020
The team from Frankfurt International School has put together five exercises that put a smile on your face and put the “SMILE” in your workout:
- Squats x25
- Mountain climbers x25
- Inchworm pushups x10
- Leg lifts x25
- Elbow plank for 1 minute
Remember to take a 20-second rest between exercises, and this circuit as many times as you like!
Surprise! Thursday, April 9, 2020
This simple and easy recipe is made from two ingredients: Oreo cookie crumbs and cream cheese. This recipe can use any form of cookie crumbs — even graham crackers, anything that has a dry, crumbly consistency. This recipe is an easy recipe that you can make at home and substitute any ingredients that can be enjoyed by all.
Ingredients:
- 100g of finely crushed cookie crumbs.
- 55g of cream cheese or a cream cheese substitute.
- Chocolate of your choice (optional)
Directions:
- First start by measuring your cookie crumbs and cream cheese into a medium bowl.
- Mix together until you have a consistency that looks a little bit crumbly dough but can be shaped easily. If the mixture is too crumbly add more cream cheese, if mixture is too much cream cheese add more cookie crumbs.
- Once you have the desired texture shape the dough to any shape you would like. I did smiles and smiley faces for operation smiles. Then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or freezer for 10 until solidified.
Optional: Melt the chocolate of your choice until smooth and cover cookie balls. You can then decorate or leave plain.
Wait for the chocolate to solidify and enjoy!
Thanks to our friends from the Frankfurt International School for putting this together!
Make Something Monday, April 6, 2020
Today our friends at FIS are showing us to make a chevron friendship bracelet to give to friends, family or anyone to show your support!
Materials needed:
- 3 colors of embroidery thread (yarn or any other type of thick thread will work!)
- Tape or safety pin
- Scissors
Celebrate Sunday, April 5, 2020
Meet our fantastic students from the Frankfurt International School in Germany! They’ve set up great activities for you this week, so be sure to tune in daily to @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenaccion! Oh! And make sure to follow them on Instagram @operationsmile_fis!
Spread the Love Saturday, April 4, 2020
From mowing the lawn to cleaning up to baking yummy treats, our Virginia student team challenges you to Spread the Love and help out around the house today.
Tag @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenccion with all the ways you support your family.
Fitness Friday, April 3, 2020
Take a screengrab of the image, tally up your workout and get to it! Be sure to to tag @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenaccion when you’re done!
Thanks to the Virginia Leadership Council for putting this together!
Surprise! Thursday, April 2
Watch the video to see what the mystery activity of the day is!
Watch Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Get your popcorn, gather your family: It’s time for Watch Wednesday! Today we’re watching “Wonder.” Watch the video to learn more about the Virginia Regional Leadership Council’s selection.
In the U.S., you can find “Wonder” on Hulu or Amazon Prime.
Trivia Tuesday March 31, 2020
How well do you know Operation Smile? Try your hand at this trivia, put together by our Virginia Regional Leadership Council:
- Watch the above video first
- And then click the button below to submit your answers
Make Something Monday, March 30, 2020
We’re going from global to local: Last week we made cards for Operation Smile’s patients and volunteers, so this week, our Virginia student team is tasking you with making thank you cards for your community’s heroes. From the grocery store workers to our medical professionals, we encourage our volunteers who can to bring joy to these heroes by showing appreciation.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Your country’s rules during this strange time. We know that some countries, especially across Latin America, do not encourage sharing any papers or mail. No worries, we understand if you can’t take part this week. We have another activity for our LAC friends here on our live blog.
- We do not encourage you to leave your house, so please be sure to mail your cards instead of dropping them off at any locations.
- Make sure at least 72 hours have passed before you put your finished cards in the mail.
BONUS: BAKE Something Monday with Fiola
Our friend Fiola Lujabe of Operation Smile South Africa chipped in her bread recipe for Make Something Monday (or, shall we say, BAKE Something Monday)!
Fiola’s Bread Recipe
- 1kg Self Raising Flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 two spoons of sugar
- 1 spoon of Salt
- 500ml warm water and
- A Cup of milk
Fitness Friday, March 27, 2020
U.S. Manager Cbelle Fernandez challenges you to do 50 burpees every time you get the “Still Watching?” prompt on Netflix or any other video-streaming platform!
Once you do your 50 burpees, tag a few friends and have them accept the challenge, too.
Tag us @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenccion when you finish your workout!
Surprise! Thursday, March 26, 2020: Baking a Smile!
The fun of Surprise! Thursday is being able to pick a mystery activity for everyone to enjoy — and who doesn’t love baked goods?
With her kids by her side, the founder of Operation Smile Student Programs herself, Brigette Magee Clifford, shares her Surprise! Thursday activity: Baking for Smiles. Gather in the kitchen, make your favorite dessert, and make sure you decorate it with a smile!
“Be together and bake,” Brigette says. “This will always bring a smile. Please post your favorite desserts and recipes!”
Tag us @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenccion with your photos of your smiley treats!
Watch Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Stud Pro celebrities Pete Hansen and Cbelle Fernandez encourage you to watch them on their Behind the Smiles episode!
Trivia Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Head to the @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenaccion Instagram stories to play a round of “Operation Smile: By the Numbers” trivia!
Make Something Monday, March 23, 2020
For today’s activity, LAC Associate Gaby Sagel challenges us to create two beautiful greeting cards, one for a patient and one for an Operation Smile volunteer!
Once you complete your cards, we’d love for you to send them to us so we can send them to our friends around the world. Out of an abundance of caution, please wait at least 72 hours before you put them in the mailbox on its way to us; once it’s safe, we’ll pack your cards and get them into the hands of those we help and those who volunteer.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
#StayAtHomeWithASmile and join us for a week of virtual activities, all led by your friends on the Operation Smile Student Programs staff!
Here’s a look at which staff member will lead each day’s activities:
Make Something Monday: Gaby Sagel, our associate who covers Latin America and Caribbean
Trivia Tuesday: Bethany Bogacki, our content producer
Watch Wednesday: Pete Hansen, who leads our efforts in Virginia
Surprise! Thursday: The founder of Student Programs herself, Brigette Magee Clifford
Fitness Friday: Cbelle Fernandez, the U.S. manager of Student Programs
Spread the Love Saturday: Morgan Banaszek, who covers the Northern region of the U.S.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
For today’s activity, we’ve prepared beautiful mandalas for you to color!
Be sure to post your completed artwork in your story! Tag @osstudpro and @latinoamericaenaccion, and remember to use #StayAtHomeWithASmile #MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa and #osstudpro!
Friday, March 20, 2020
Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated International Happiness
Day in recognition of the important role it plays in the lives of people
around the world. This is why we want you to show us your happiest smile!
All you have to do is:
1. Download the Smile Sheet and color the one you like the most.
2. Cut it out and place it on a stick or a pencil to make a kind of puppet.
3. Snap a selfie with your new smile and think about what makes you happy.
4. Upload your selfie to your Instagram Story so you can share your happiness with the world. Don’t forget to tag us @osstudpro and
@latinoamericaenaccion and use the #StayAtHomeWithASmile and
#MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa!
Let’s show that happiness and a smile are the best antidote to difficult times!
Every day, one of our teams will post an activity on our social media channels. From fitness challenges to watch parties, we’ll offer up a fun way for us all to do something together even as we’re apart!
Here’s a look at our daily posting schedule:
Make Something Monday: We’ll craft something we can give to our patients or community (when it’s safe).
Trivia Tuesday: Get a shout-out if you get 100 percent!
Watch Wednesday: We’ll watch the same video! We’ll start at 7:30 p.m. EST, but you can start when ready.
Surprise! Thursday: This day is a wildcard and can be whatever fun activity the student team chooses!
Fitness Friday: Get up and get active with our routine!
Spread the Love Saturday: We’ll ask you to share kindness on your Instagram and Snapchat stories.
Celebrate Sunday: We’ll share all the cool stuff we did during the week. Then we’ll introduce you to the next student team and announce their slate of activities!
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Todos los días, un grupo de Líderes estudiantiles postearán diferentes actividades en nuestras redes sociales. Desde deportes hasta manualidades, te ofreceremos una manera divertida de hacer cosas juntos, aunque estemos en nuestras casas cada uno.
Te dejamos un vistazo de cómo será nuestro horario:
Lunes de manualidades: Crearemos manualidades para nuestros pacientes, voluntarios y las personas de nuestra comunidad ( Se entregará cuando sea seguro)
Martes de Trivia: celebra si tienes un 100 % en tu puntaje .
Miércoles de videos: ¡Veamos todos el mismo video! Empezaremos a las 7:00 de Panamá pero tu puedes empezar cuando puedas.
Jueves de sorpresa: Este día nuestro lideres te sorprenderán con algo asombroso para realizar.
Viernes Fit: Levántate y participa de nuestra rutina de ejercicios.
Sábado de Buenas Noticias: Te pediremos que compartas cosas amables y lindas en tus historias de snapchat e Instagram
Domingo de Diversión: Te compartiremos todas las cosas divertidas que hicimos en la semana y te introduciremos el nuevo equipo que estará encargado de las siguientes actividades.
- Don’t forget to get your clubs involved! Using your club’s account is a great way to get your members involved, too!
- Remember to tag @osstudpro & @latinoamericaenaccion in your posts! And, if you like, we’d love if you could tag three friends!
- Please use these hashtags: #StayAtHomeWithASmile #MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa #osstudpro
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- No te olvides de mantener a tus clubes involucrados. Usar las redes sociales de tus clubes es una buena forma de tener a todos los miembros involucrados.
- Recuerda etiquetarnos en todas tus publicaciones y si quieres etiqueta a tus amigos.
- Por favor usa los hashtags: #StayAtHomeWithASmile #MeQuedoEnCasaConUnaSonrisa #osstudpro
Make sure you’re following us!
