Models, designers, performers and organizers of the Northbridge International School

fashion and art show and auction, at the Intercontinental Hotel (May 29), line up

to acknowledge the large audience who came to support the school's fund-raising event

for Operation Smile, an international NGO which does free surgeries annually in Phnom

Penh for children born with cleft lips and/or palates.

The event netted $2,000 from ticket sales and auction of copies of the fashion garments,

which were sold at prices ranging from $75 to $140 (the price includes tailoring).

The designers whose work was featured were Koreans Yong Ah Shin and her brother Yong

Seok Shin, Bunlinna Morn, Sophie Meas and Rotha Sar.

The event manager Annette Meeuwse-Xavier (who later paid $108 for Yong Shin's clinging

martial arts outfit), said the students conceived the idea and donated their talents

for Operation Smile, which Northbridge has been supporting since 2000. An international

team of up to 40 surgeons, dentists, nurses and social workers has been to Cambodia

three times performing operations at the Russian Hospital and counselling families.

They also train and capacity-build local resources to do this life-changing work,

and the first local mission was last March when 130 operations were completed.

Northbridge director David Eaton said he hoped the school's example would encourage

others to become involved.