The Journey Home is a month-long, multiple site, international medical mission that Operation Smile is conducting in the Philippines this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary. It is Operation Smile’s biggest ever mission in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world. The mission’s name reflects the organization’s roots in the Philippines.

This year’s international mission will have two additional components: free dental treatment in one site (Koronadal) and the launching of a research study in another site (Silay) to determine the genetic and environmental factors that cause clefting.

Target Beneficiaries: 4,500
1. Dental Treatment: 3,000
2. Reconstructive Surgery: 1,500

Number of Participating Volunteers: 1,000
1. Filipinos: 700
2. Other Nationalities: 300

Countries Represented: 37 countries from 6 continents
1. Africa: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya
2. Asia: Cambodia, China, India, Israel, Jordan, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore,  Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam
3. Australia: Australia
4. Europe: Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
5. North America: Canada, United States of America (2)
6. South America: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru

Quantity of Medical Equipment, Supplies Deployed
1. 14 metric tons shipped from the US
2. Several metric tons more sourced locally

Mission Partners
1. Kapampangan Development Foundation
2. Hope Foundation
3. Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charity Foundation
4. De La Salle Health Sciences Institute

Mission Sponsors
1. Century Properties Group, Inc.
2. Citigroup
3. Lamoiyan Corporation
4. Megaworld Corporation
5. Philippine Air Lines
6. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company
7. San Miguel Corporation
8. Smart Communications
9. Terry S.A., Inc./Havaianas Philippines
10. United Coconut Planters Bank