A large portion of the profits from Ilia’s art and books go to Smile Network.
Smile Network International is a global, non-profit humanitarian organization that provides life-altering, reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries.
Thousands of children are born in developing countries with facial deformities such as cleft lips and palates and suffer the humiliation and embarrassment of their disfigurement. Often times these children have difficulty eating, drinking and speaking. As a result, many are malnourished, underdeveloped and lack energy, strength and confidence. These children suffer rejection, social injustices and frequently are hidden away from the mainstream of everyday life.
Through local efforts, Smile Network International develops international partnerships that enable volunteers to build trust in foreign countries.
These global relationships provide Smile Network the opportunity to conduct surgical missions and to impart dignity and quality of life to individuals whose medical needs may otherwise go untreated. All Smile Network surgeries are provided free of charge.
The mission of Smile Network International is straightforward: To reconstruct lives…one bright, smiling face at a time.