Hello keithf~
As I'm sure you already know, making donations to organizations that
treat cleft problems in children can make an enormous difference in
children's lives. It is a very worthy cause, so let me run down the
major differences between The Smile Train and Rotaplast for you.
While the missions of the two organizations are similar (they have
occasionally worked together, as this Google cached article discusses:
://www.google.com/search?q=cache:cu0jgVEcjvcC:www.smiletrain.org/partners/venezuela.htm+Rotaplast&hl=en&ie=UTF-8;
you'll also find The Smile Train listed on Rotaplast's "Corporate
Support" page: http://www.rotaplast.org/corporate.html), there *are*
differences in how they operate.
THE SMILE TRAIN:
* Claims to have the lowest surgery cost of any cleft organization, at
$250 a surgery.
* 100% of all donations to The Smile Train go directly toward helping
children. (How is this possible? The website states: "The Smile Train
is very fortunate to have an extremely generous and supportive Board
of Directors who pays for all non-program expenses such as overhead,
fundraising and administration. This makes it possible for us to
commit all of our other donations towards programs." For more
information on this, visit
http://www.smiletrain.org/about_us/how_we_operate.htm )
* Specifically focuses on children in China and India (countries that
have the first and second largest number of children with cleft
problems in proportion to overall population).
* However, 50 countries receive services from The Smile Train.
* As for children in the U.S., "The Smile Train has supported numerous
organizations that help children in the U.S.A. For example, The Smile
Train has been a supporter of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial
Association/Cleft Palate Foundation (ACPA) to help provide assistance
to children in the U.S. that are born with cleft lip and palate. The
Smile Train and ACPA have collaborated on a number of projects,
including the complete support of CLEFTLINE, (1-800-24cleft) a
toll-free number. More than 5,000 people call the toll free number for
help every year."
* Supports medical research regarding cleft problems, offers free
training to doctors, and partners with local organizations and doctors
in the care of children with cleft problems.
* Is very interested in using local doctors, in order to promote
self-sufficiency. To read a little about how they accomplish this,
visit: http://www.cai.com/about/sponsorships/smiletrain.htm
ROTAPLAST:
* Rotaplast pays airfare for all medical volunteers; housing and local
transportation expenses are specifically covered by funding through
Rotary Clubs.
* In addition to treating children with cleft problems, Rotaplast also
treats burn patients and those with other birth defects that can be
corrected by plastic surgery. Occasionally, they also treat teenagers
and adults.
* Supports genetic research, preventive counseling, and what they call
"a multi-disciplinary approach including orthodontics, speech
pathology and dentistry along with an emphasis on education and
training of on-site medical professionals." Like The Smile Train,
Rotaplast trains local doctors.
With these details in mind, hopefully you will discover which
organization you'd like best to support.
Best wishes,
kriswrite
Keywords Used:
"The Smile Train"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22The+Smile+Train%22&btnG=Google+Search
Rotaplast
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Rotaplast
"The Smile Train" Rotaplast
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22The+Smile+Train%22+Rotaplast |
