Brynn and Kaelen Furey
Two Ridgefield teenagers, Brynn and Kaelen Furey, recently returned from Ireland where they participated in Operation Smile’s 24th Annual International Student Leadership Conference held this year in Limerick.
Brynn and Kaelen were among 465 student volunteers, ranging in age from 15 to 22 and representing 28 different countries, who participated in the week-long conference in July.
“My sister and I became interested in OpSmile after learning about all the good work they are doing for underprivileged children in developing countries,” said Kaelen.
Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity based in Virginia Beach, whose mission is to perform safe, effective cleft lip and cleft palate surgery, and deliver postoperative and ongoing medical therapies to children in low and middle income countries.
Since 1991, Operation Smile has sponsored the ISLC to help high school and college students build leadership skills, self-esteem, a lifelong commitment to serving others, and to teach the importance of cultural awareness. Every year the conference is held at a different university around the world, and recognizes and celebrates diversity among the students. This year, the ISLC was held at the University of Limerick.
“The purpose of the week-long leadership conference is to enrich each student’s perspective of the value of service within their communities and help develop their skills as future philanthropic leaders,” said Operation Smile’s Co-Founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee.
Throughout the week, students participated in team-building activities, attended leadership workshops, competed in field games and completed service projects. The keynote address was given by Oscar-nominated, Grammy award-winning songwriter Amir Windom whose recent accomplishments include producing the song “Happy” performed by Pharrell Williams.
According to ISLC leaders, by bringing together international students, community leaders and scholars from all backgrounds, Operation Smile creates a forum for examining and celebrating the positive impact of cultural diversity.
“One of the major themes of the ISLC is the importance of starting chain reactions,” said Kaelen. “Even the smallest action can make a difference and OpSmile helps promote that.
According to Operation Smile, ISLC participants are actively involved in Operation Smile student clubs or associations in their hometowns. Today, over 18,000 participants are active in more than 900 Operation Smile student clubs and associations in 40 countries. Students often self-initiate campaigns for Operation Smile to raise awareness and donations to fund more surgeries for children in need. Through their school and community-based fundraising, student volunteers raise an estimated $1 million annually for Operation Smile.
“Teenagers often do not believe that they have the power to make a significant difference in the world because they lack money,” said Brynn. “ISLC was important because students were taught how we can use what we have to contribute to a better world. I intend on becoming more involved with Operation Smile and applying to go on a mission next year.”
Brynn and Kaelen moved to Ridgefield earlier this summer with their family. In September, Brynn will be entering her junior year at The Kent School and Kaelen will be entering her sophomore year at The Ethyl Walker School.