A University of Alabama student’s decision last fall has brought smiles to the faces of children around the world.

Hannah Brown and fellow students in the University of Alabama Operation Smile Club have something special to celebrate Sunday on International Children’s Day. In less than a year, they have raised money to provide life-changing cleft surgery for eight children internationally.

Brown, an aspiring speech pathologist, learned about Operation Smile through her studies as a communicative disorders major at UA. Formed in 1982, the global nonprofit is dedicated to providing free reconstructive cleft surgery to areas of the world where it’s needed most.

For patients of Operation Smile, one of the most prevalent issues is the lack of accessibility to safe surgical care and the expense of cleft surgery. The organization brings children free cleft surgery and related care.

Immediately inspired by the nonprofit’s work, Brown decided to make it her mission to help children worldwide receive safe surgery for their cleft conditions. Joined initially by three other students, she founded the University of Alabama Operation Smile Club.

Along with helping children, Operation Smile Clubs encourage leadership, service, advocacy and education.

“Since its inception at the beginning of the school year and our first meeting in October, we have grown from only four members to over 100,” Brown said. “Operation Smile is such an upstanding organization that finding an abundance of people on campus to support its mission was one of the easiest parts of leading this club.”

Despite the club’s humble beginnings, Brown and fellow students were able to make a sizable impact with donation drives and increasing awareness for Operation Smile through letter-writing projects.

International Children’s Day will be celebrated Sunday, June 13 in the United States. (Getty Images)

“Volunteering with Operation Smile has been the most rewarding experience I could have ever asked for,” Brown said. “Operation Smile is an incredible nonprofit to support because their mission is so heartwarming, and being able to see your volunteering efforts effectively put to use is such a gratifying feeling. Operation Smile approaches health care services in not only ethical and morally righteous ways, but also in sustainable ways.”

Now, UA club members know their efforts have helped eight people breathe, eat and speak more easily and live lives of greater quality and confidence.

“Cleft surgeries are essential for a good quality of life, and the lack of proper medical care worldwide proves how needed Operation Smile is on a global scale,” Brown said. “I love being able to consider myself a small part of Operation Smile’s mission because it is something that is necessary to create better circumstances for people of all different walks of life.”

Operation Smile relies on a dedicated staff, private-public partnerships and thousands of volunteers. Beyond the initial 45-minute surgery, the nonprofit offers patients follow-up surgeries, dentistry, psychological services, speech therapy and essential cleft treatments. Learn more by visiting operationsmile.org or by following @operationsmile on social media.

The organization is observing International Children’s Day by highlighting young volunteers such as Brown. International Children’s Day, celebrated annually in the U.S. on the second Sunday of June, promotes international togetherness among children and improving children’s welfare.