A group of plastic surgeons is headed to India to provide reconstructive surgeries to children who are suffering from facial deformities such as cleft lips, cleft palates, facial tumors and burns. The team is part of Operation Smile, an organization that works to improve the quality of life of children with similar conditions across the globe, the Illinois-based McLeansboro Times-Leader reports.

The trip will take place from November 21 to December 10. The initiative will provide free medical evaluations as well as any necessary surgery. The group expects to evaluate around 500 patients. Surgery to correct a cleft lip or palate takes about 45 minutes and can drastically change a child's life.

"Facial deformities are often life-threatening and emotionally traumatizing," a plastic surgeon resident embarking on the trip told the news source. "Many children are unable to eat, speak or attend school."

According to the organization's website, more than 200,000 children are born with a severe cleft condition each year. It occurs in approximately 1 in every 600 births.