The Joy of Astrid’s Smile

For this young family, finding Smile Train meant finding freedom

Lissette will always remember how she felt the moment she first held her daughter, Astrid:

“I was scared.”

Astrid had a cleft. Lissette didn’t know how it would affect her health, where she could find care, or how the family would afford it even if she did.

Thankfully, her husband discovered Misión Caritas Felices (MCF), their local Smile Train partner in Lima. As Lissette spoke with the doctors, the fear surrounding Astrid’s cleft disappeared, replaced by peace of mind. She now had a clear plan for her daughter’s treatment.

To date, Astrid has received multiple free cleft surgeries at MCF and is scheduled to receive at least one more when she is older.

Gallery

Astrid sits at a table inside the family house with her brother. Behind them, Lissette kneels and wraps her arms around them. They all share a smile.

Outside their home, Astrid grins and kneels next to a lean brown-and-white dog, who’s also smiling.

Astrid and her brother take a break from working on their coloring book to smile at the camera.

Astrid grins up at the camera, working on her coloring book.

Astrid is now nine years old and loves going to school, playing with friends, sweeping the floor, and washing dishes. Lissette hopes that when Astrid grows up, she can pursue a good career.