She was the first patient to receive free surgery by Senyum Foundation. Since 2005, the foundation has helped around 520 people in Bali and eastern Indonesia by providing surgery to people with physical defects.

"The new office is the result of team work to celebrate sharing and this is so wonderful. So many people join to help, pay expenses, transport, and visa as well," Senyum's founder Marry Northmore said.

The opening of Rumah Senyum was attended by Australian Ambassador for Indonesia Bill Farmer, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Professor David J. David from the Australia Cranio-Facial Adelaide Hospital, Australia, consulate generals in Bali, and dozens of donors from various institutions and charity groups in Bali including expatriate volunteers from the Smile Shop in Ubud, the Bali International Women's Ascociation (BIWA) and Harris Hotel.

Farmer said he endorsed the efforts of the community to work together in helping low-income people receive medical treatment.

"I appreciate what you have done in this *smile' house for low-income people," he said.

Governor Pastika said he was surprised there was a foundation in Bali and eastern Indonesia for people who suffered from medical conditions such as cleft and carnio-facial defects. "I was not aware about the initiatives provided for the people of Bali. We have many angels in Bali," Pastika said.

The governor said he was also saddened by the fact that hundreds of people in Bali are blind due to cataracts. "Many people can't afford treatment at the hospital. The more we cooperate now, the better our health services for low-income people will be for the future," Pastika added.

Professor David J. David, a surgeon who visits Bali twice a year to work with a surgeon from Sanglah Hospital expressed similar hope that the welfare program could survive with the support of the community.

"It's a wonderful concept. Its a space for businessmen to create opportunities for people living in poverty."

Beside Rusmini, dozens of patients waiting to undergo surgery and who have undergone operations joined the opening. Most patients were suffering or had suffered from cleft-lip defects, including children.

Parents shared experiences in searching for better medical treatment for the younger generation, including Suciantari, who waited her turn to have her son undergo more surgery.

"His first operation was not successful. I have to wait another four months to see Cakra smiling," she said.

Eight-month-old Cakra has a severe cleft-lip defect. He cannot smile and laugh. Suciantari came to the foundation as her friends told her that Cakra could have free surgery.

"I thought that there was nothing I could do to change his condition," the young mother said.

Rumah Senyum provides 11 bedrooms to accommodate patients.

The office also has a living room that can be used by the patients' family.

The bedrooms are available for patients who travel long distances for the service, including Denpasar.

Since 2005, the foundation mostly treated patients with cleft-lip and carnio-facial defects, mostly children aged below 1 years old and up to 9 years old.

The Foundation deals with patients suffering from disabilities such as cleft lip and palate defects, as well as a wide variety of other craniofacial disabilities.

Most patients come from the mountains of Bali and other islands in eastern Indonesia where appropriate medical treatment is not available. In association with Professor David of the Australian Craniofacial Unit, Yayasan Senyum sends patients to Adelaide for operations, which cannot be performed locally in Bali.

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