I know its been too long but so much has happened!
Its been an incredible year and I must thank you for sticking by our side thru it all....
I have been busy working on my non~profit organization called Smile With Me! In November I took a creative team of five, which included my mom;), and we went on a medical mission with Operation Smile to Bolivia. I am an abassador to Operation Smile. They are an incredible organization that performs corrective surgeries for cleft children all over the world for the past 25 years. This was a journey of a lifetime with rewards beyond words.....we had all kinds of creative activities for the kids during the screening process and before surgery. My friend Filippo did face paiting and Cheray did storybook projects, my mom Dina made 'ocho de dios' (protection ornaments) out of yarn and sticks~ it was a hit with the mothers. I did a little of everything including giving ribbon lessons (something from my rythmic gymnastics background;) it was so cute to see how even bubbles fascinated the kids! There was this boy named Carlos Andres, he was 9 years old. He had never painted before in his life and he went to town painting the whole canvas with details like a natural! His mother never even knew he was interested or had a gift in that area. I hope we inspired him to follow his creativity wherever it takes him.... we even made him a special care package filled with art supplies. Something that was really special is that I got to follow this adorable 9 month old girl, named Galia, through the entire process. Even into the operating room!
Its truly phenomenal what these doctors accomplish, not to mention they all volunteer! Her mother was so grateful, she asked me to be her godmother! My good friend Lee Cherry took amazing pictures and documented it all! Make sure you check out the links of the photos;) All in all, it was a success! We also went to a shelter and an orphanage. In the end, we were able to leave all the art supplies we came with. A little something for everyone, and boy were they thrilled. I will never forget those smiling faces! That was the whole purpose of the mission!
This is just the beginning and I can't wait to start planning the future for Smile With Me! Thank you for showing your support.....oh and thanks to all the fans for coming to the V~side! I had a blast!!! Muahhhhhhh Don't forget to check out smilewithme.org xo Carmit