Collaborating for change: Tostan and Operation Smile in Senegal

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a trust established in 1944, supports non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the world. When receiving the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2007, Tostan began discussing potential partnerships with past recipients, which led to a collaboration with Operation Smile.

A children’s charity working to treat cleft lips and palates─ facial deformities that can have life threatening effects─ Operation Smile brought its services to Senegal in 2008. Tostan, already active in the country since 1991, helped Operation Smile by informing communities of the organization and the free services they provide on radio programs, and by finding a hospital in which they could work. Tostan also provided housing for the team and for families of patients, as children were brought from all over Senegal to receive surgery and care. By working together, Tostan and Operation Smile were able to change the lives of 70 people and the collaboration presented an inspiring example of innovative organizations partnering for progress.

You can click here to read more about this collaboration, or here to learn more about the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.