This article was written by Johnson Cheah and Mabel Sim Zhi Yi, representing the University of Stirling Student Council, who independently managed most of the operations for Smile Asia, a charity group that provides surgeries to change the lives of children with cleft lips. They hope their initiative inspires students of SIM to take the lead in similar projects and make a positive impact. Continue reading to discover their thoughts on how they started this project and their plans for the future!

Purpose: Doing Charity for a Change 

This campaign is a chance for us to focus on giving back. Our decision to work with Smile Asia was inspired by an interview with our Student Council president, Johnson, who has interacted with several fundraisers with them in the past. He shared how impactful their work has been and why it aligns with our goals. Since this initiative is non-funded and led by first-year members, it is a great way to get involved in charity and community work that is cost-friendly while also helping students develop empathy and character outside of the classroom. 

Supporting children with cleft lips is important because these surgeries not only improve their health but also help them feel confident and happy. We believe helping Smile Asia is a great way for us to make a positive impact. 

Sustainability: Keeping the Campaign Going 

Our campaign is designed to be low-cost and something we can manage without needing extra funding from the school. We are using social media and word of mouth to spread awareness about children with cleft lips. Our goal is to keep this campaign going in the future and to raise awareness so that people continue supporting Smile Asia, even after the event is over. 

By making the campaign low-cost, we hope to repeat it every year, ensuring that we can keep helping Smile Asia long-term. 

Beneficiary Impact: How the Campaign Helps 

After one week of fundraising, we managed to raise approximately $1500, enough to cover the surgery for 3 children. The money we raised went directly to providing surgeries for children in need. Each donation helped a child receive life-changing treatment, allowing them to speak better, smile confidently, and live without the difficulties caused by a cleft lip. Additionally, we got students to write heartfelt messages on a mirror, the idea is to let the kids who have completed their surgery, see their new smile alongside the messages left by the student body. 

Improving the Process: Making Future Campaigns Better 

As we look ahead, there’s always room for improvement. We want to build stronger partnerships with local businesses to get more support, and we will work on getting more alumni and outside supporters involved. What worked for us was having an activity to interact with students and lecturers at the booth to design and share about our cause. What didn’t work for us is that we could have planned it during the school term and not the holidays. By reflecting on what works and what could be better, we can continue to grow and improve this campaign. Hopefully garnering more donations for future editions of our fundraiser. 

Future Plans: Continuing to Work with Smile Asia 

In the future, we plan to keep working with Smile Asia because of the incredible impact they make. This campaign has been successful, and we want to keep this partnership going. At the same time, we’re open to exploring other causes that need support, while still keeping Smile Asia as a priority.