“Give A Smile” has been the global signature Corporate Social Responsibility program of A.S. Watson since 2018 to support children born with facial disfigurements. Partnered with Operation Smile, A.S. Watson is engaging with our employees, strategic partners and customers around the world contributing our time and financial supports with aims to sponsor as many free surgical missions to make smile possible again to the children with cleft conditions. This global CSR campaign builds on A.S. Watson Group’s long history of giving; the business began as a single, small dispensary providing free medicine to the needy, 179 years ago.

A.S. Watson Group has a passion about making a positive difference to people with the purpose of “to put a smile on customers’ faces”. That vision is shared by Operation Smile, and it becomes a common belief that the two organizations can work together to make smile possible for all. 

ABOUT “GIVE A SMILE” CAMPAIGN IN VIETNAM

As the leading beauty and health retailer of the group, Watsons has been joining hands together to support children with cleft lips and palates. For the first time, Watsons and Operation Smile announces the launch of “Give A Smile” medical charity campaign in Vietnam from November 2020.

According to Vietnamese statistics, 1 out of every 700 children is born with a cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformity in the world. As world population is projected to grow, it can be out of our expectation to have an increase in the new-patient numbers. A cleft can create serious emotional and health issues. If it is not corrected, including difficulty with feeding, which can lead to serious malnutrition. They may experience problems with speech development than other children. Cleft children may also suffer from bullying and social isolation.

To raise money for free surgeries to be provided by Operation Smile, as well as raise public awareness of cleft issues, Watsons Vietnam is donating proceeds from sales of the Give A Smile limited collection including personal care products - tissues, hand sanitizers, toothbrush - from Watsons Own Brand. The customers can also participate in this life-changing cause by purchasing their favorite Watsons branded products at offline stores or online store and Watsons app. For each product sold, 20% from the product revenue will be contributed to Operation Smile from now to end of December 2020.

LET’S “GIVE A SMILE” TOGETHER

“In addition to raising funds for Operation Smile, it’s important to remind ourselves that everyone of us can be a carer to each other. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference to people’s lives, and we are delighted that we can help make a big difference to the lives of children with facial deformities by giving them a smile,” Malina Ngai says.

“We know that people lead busy lives, so we hope that by using social media channels to promote this campaign, our customers in Vietnam and all over the world will spend just a moment of generosity and kindness to ‘Give a Smile’.”

ABOUT OPERATION SMILE

Operation Smile was founded in 1982 and has provided hundreds of thousands of safe surgeries for those born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities. With more than three decades of expertise, Operation Smile creates solutions that deliver free surgery to people where it’s needed most.  As one of the largest medical volunteer-based nonprofits, Operation Smile has mobilized thousands of medical volunteers from a wide range of medical specialties from more than 80 countries.

Since it first inception in 1989, Operation Smile has been providing more than 60,000 free surgeries and medical treatments to the Vietnamese children and families, bring them new lives, hopes and dignities. Every year, it is estimated to have 3,000 children born with facial deformities who are still waiting for medical support and treatment in Vietnam. Therefore, with the support from sponsors and community, there will be more opportunities for them to smile and to hope for a brighter future.

For more information, please visit www.operationsmile.org.vn or call our hotline 090 488 5555.