Friends Welfare Organisation (FWO) was established in 1995 by a group of like-minded individuals committed to serving underprivileged communities through free healthcare. For nearly three decades, FWO has focused on providing free reconstructive plastic surgery to people with complex conditions such as facial deformities, cleft lip and palate, severe burn scars, acid attack injuries, and trauma from serious accidents. Through 28 annual surgery camps, more than 4,500 individuals have received treatment, helping them regain function, dignity, and confidence.
While free cleft lip and palate camps exist in India, specialised care for extensive burn deformities remains scarce. To address this gap, FWO partners with Rotaplast, USA, to organise advanced reconstructive surgery camps at no cost to patients. These camps are made possible through the voluntary efforts of FWO members, medical partners, outreach partners, and volunteers, with FWO covering all treatment-related expenses – including travel, surgery, medication, and meals – typically ranging from ₹1.5 to ₹5 lakhs per patient.
Early years with Dr Sharad Dicksheet
Team of doctors joining the camp
Interplast team arriving with supplies
Early years with Dr Sharad Dicksheet
Video: Reflecting on the 25 Years of FWO journey
FWO Members
A core group of 13 donor members provide strategic direction and are primarily responsible for the Outreach, Finance, Public Relation and Communication efforts of the organisation.
Members bear key office positions on a rotation basis. The current office bearers include:
Medical Partners
Rotaplast International was set-up by Leading Surgeons and Medical professionals of the United States, with the mission to provide free reconstructive surgery, ancillary treatment, and comprehensive care for patients suffering from cleft lip/ palate, burn scarring and other deformities.
The medical team utilizes 2 weeks of personal vacation time to travel to the country and provide their service on a fully honorary basis. Rotaplast makes the necessary arrangements for travel, medical equipment, medicine and materials.
Rotaplast has treated more than 21,000 patients across 26 countries to date.
Outreach Partners
FWO works with various outreach partners to identify individuals in need in their communities.
Friends Welfare Organisation undertakes outreach activities in rural areas of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and other states, in partnership with local NGOs that have a strong community presence. These partner organisations identify individuals in need of treatment within their communities, organise screening camps in coordination with FWO, and facilitate travel arrangements to Bengaluru for eligible patients. Key NGO partners include SATRA, Morigaon Mahila Mehfil, and PCVC.
1. FWO orients their team members to identify individuals in need in their communities.
2. Jointly organise pre-screening of individuals along with FWO.
3. Assist in co-ordinating for treatment in the camp organised by FWO.
Volunteers
Over 40 volunteers donate their time and services for patient screening and camp co-ordination. While some volunteers travel to rural areas across different states for conducting pre-screening camps, others are involved in the day to day running of the camp
Volunteering activities include patient registration, data capture, translation of Q&A between patients and doctors, logistics arrangements; social media management and food arrangements
