I Volunteered in the Philippines as a U.S. Nurse Helping Kids With Cleft Lips—Here's How

I didn’t go to the Philippines for a vacation. I went because I needed to feel human again.

I’m from Marion, Alabama. One of the most poverty-stricken cities in America. No hospital. No real resources. Just a bunch of kids with potential and not enough people to pour into them. I was one of those kids. So when I became a nurse, I knew I wanted to give back—not just to people who looked like me, but to anyone who needed healing. That’s how I ended up in Cebu with Operation Smile.

After working back-to-back 12s in Atlanta, I started feeling disconnected. I didn’t want to lose my purpose. I didn’t want to become numb to the pain around me. I wanted to remind myself why I got into this in the first place. I wanted to feel again. So when I saw that Operation Smile was looking for PACU nurses to help with cleft lip and palate surgeries for children in the Philippines, I signed up without hesitation.

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Why I Went

This wasn’t for a check. It wasn’t for clout. It was for the little boy who had never smiled without being laughed at. The little girl who was too ashamed to speak because of how others looked at her.

I got there not knowing what to expect—but man, God had a plan. I remember two kids in particular. First day, they were scared of me. Wouldn’t make eye contact. Kept their distance. But by the end of the week, they were giving me high fives, showing off their bandages, and telling their parents I was their friend. That moment right there? That’s what this was all about.

My Mission Experience

I worked in the PACU, making sure each child was stable as they came out of anesthesia. These surgeries weren’t just cosmetic—they were life-changing. Some of these kids couldn’t eat properly or speak clearly before. Now? They had a chance at a whole new life.

The people I worked with were incredible. Nurses, surgeons, interpreters, and volunteers from all over the world. But what really blew me away was how skilled and passionate the local nurses were. They were working with limited resources but giving 110% to every patient. It made me realize how privileged we are back in the States—and how much we take for granted.

Travel, Lodging & Compensation

Let’s talk logistics. Operation Smile covered my flight, hotel, and food. I didn’t get paid for this—it was fully volunteer-based—but I wouldn’t trade the experience for any amount of money. We stayed in a simple hotel near the hospital and had security, translators, and everything we needed to feel safe and supported. The food? Fire. And the people? Some of the kindest I’ve ever met.

How You Can Get Involved

If you’re a nurse and you’ve been thinking about doing something bigger with your license—this is it. I put together a free downloadable PDF guide to help you get started with international nursing opportunities. It breaks down the process step by step, shows you where to apply, what credentials you need, and gives you tips to prepare for your first mission.

You can grab it here:

International Nursing Freebie

Start there, and trust me—your life will be better for it.

Cultural Insights & Real Talk

A lot of people back home assumed there’d be language barriers—but honestly, most people in Cebu spoke both English and Tagalog fluently. Communication wasn’t a problem at all. And culturally? I felt welcomed from the minute I stepped off the plane. The warmth, the hospitality, the respect—it was real.

Now let me keep it real. Some nurses back in the States questioned why I’d “work for free.” They asked why I’d fly across the world to help others when there are people struggling right here. But here’s the truth—impact has no zip code. You don’t have to choose between helping people at home or abroad. We can do both. And honestly? Going there lit a fire in me to serve even more at home.

My Biggest Takeaways

This experience healed something in me. It reminded me that I didn’t become a nurse for the title or the pay. I did it to be useful. To make people feel seen and cared for in a world that often overlooks them.

Would I do it again? No doubt. In fact, I plan to. And I hope more nurses come with me next time.

If you’re feeling burnt out, disconnected, or just looking for a deeper purpose—go serve. Go see the world. Go let your skills stretch beyond borders. Because somewhere out there, a child is waiting on a surgery that could change their entire future. And it might be your hands that help deliver it.

🤔 What do you think this? Let us know in the discussion forum below.