Operation “Mayan Smiles – Bridging the Gap”
By Jeffrey Moses | July 30, 2014
Carlsbad, Mission Bay, and United Services Rotarians Open a New Cleft Treatment Center
Dr. Jeff Moses and his wife, Maribel Vargas, are helping bring life-changing care to children born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities in a remote region of the Mayan community of Calakmul-Xpujil, near the ancient Mayan sites of Becan and Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico.
Through their work with the Smiles International Foundation, they are helping children and families who would otherwise have limited access to specialized treatment. The goal is to make treatment available closer to the communities that need it most.
The ancient Mayan region surrounding Calakmul and Becan. Bringing Specialized Care to the Community
For families in remote communities, access to treatment for cleft conditions can be difficult because of distance, cost, and limited medical resources. The new treatment center was intended to help bridge that gap by bringing medical professionals and charitable services closer to the people who need them.
Dr. Moses, founder and president of the Smiles International Foundation, has dedicated his work to helping children with facial deformities receive the care they need. Together with his wife, Maribel Vargas, he has worked to build relationships and coordinate support for children and families in the region.
Nurse Tara Shields helped connect the team and support the effort to expand access to treatment. The project brought together medical volunteers, Rotarians, and local partners with a shared commitment to improving children's lives.
Dr. Moses and his wife, Maribel Vargas, with a child. Helping Children Smile Again
Cleft lip and cleft palate can affect a child's ability to eat, speak, and develop confidently. Treatment can make a meaningful difference for children and their families, both physically and emotionally.
Before treatment 
After treatment 
The medical and volunteer team Rotarians Working Together
Rotarians from the Carlsbad, Mission Bay, and United Services clubs helped support the initiative. The project also involved Patricia Hunter, Nick Pollard, and other volunteers committed to improving health and living conditions in the region.
The effort reflected Rotary's ability to connect people, professional expertise, and community resources to address needs that cross geographic boundaries. The team also recognized the importance of clean water and the work of the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG).
Rotary District 5340 and host-country Rotary clubs were part of the broader network supporting the initiative. By working with local partners, the volunteers aimed to build a lasting foundation for care and community support.
Continuing the Mission
The team planned follow-up visits to continue the work and provide further treatment. The original schedule included September 15–21, 2014, and February 2–8, 2015. These dates are part of the original 2014 article.
The project demonstrates what can happen when medical professionals, volunteers, and community organizations work together to make specialized care more accessible to children who need it.