Editor, Gazette-Journal:

My name is Malia Lewis and I am 9 years old. I am raising money for boys and girls born with cleft lips and cleft palates. They live in a country where they are poor and can’t have surgery. They can’t go to school or even outside because people make fun at them and throw rocks at them. This is very sad.

My Uncle Skippy was born this way. He had surgeries and now he has a great smile. These children need a great smile, too. I want to help these poor children.

Operation Smile sends doctors and nurses to these places to fix the children’s lips and palates. Then they can go to school and have pretty smiles. They will be happy. My friends, Jessie and Alex Mills, and I are making bracelets and anklets to sell. We will send the money to Operation Smile. We hope you will come and buy one at Market Days. Thank you.

Malia Lewis

Port Haywood, Va.
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