Behind the Smiles: Dr. Preciosa Bento
Our Program Assistant for Southern Africa reflects on what working at Smile Train is really about
![Yohanes and his mother smiling and holding a picture of him before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-01/yohanes-50.jpg?itok=lP601sFF)
Never Sleep on Yohanes
More proof that nothing is stronger than a mother’s love
![Elifeleth with family](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-08/elifeleth-with-family.jpg?itok=AHAntXHG)
Elifeleth’s Parents Always Stayed Strong for Him
Elifeleth was born a healthy baby. With Smile Train’s help, his family watched him grow into a strong and confident child.
![Mariane Goes](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-07/mariane-goes-cleft-week-natal-brazil-day-one.jpg?itok=9k1pkz-n)
Mariane Goes is Teaching the World to Fish
Meet our Director for Education and Training for Latin America and the Caribbean
![Zuleika getting water outside](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-06/zuleika-washing-hands-header-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-argentina-smile-train.jpg?itok=f2pcGd1v)
The Walk to Treatment is Long, but Zuleika’s Parents Persisted
A Major Change in Children's Surgery
An interview with Smile Train partner Dr. Getaw on how Smile Train and Lifebox are making surgery safer for children with clefts
![Marco smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-03/marco-smiles-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-panama.jpg?itok=RFu_7QPT)
Miraculous Marco
Where others may have seen crises, Marco’s parents saw only miracles
![Dr. Bethel Ethiopia](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-10/oral-health-training-group%20%283%29.png?itok=U7-5uG3Q)
Untold Stories
In Ethiopia, Dr. Bethel and Smile Train are changing the narrative around malnutrition.
![Smile Train patient Smile Rai with his parents, who are holding a picture of him before his free cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-09/smile-rai-with-family-after-smile-train-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=UkUr4Lj3)
Destiny’s Smile
Even knowing help is available isn’t always enough to remove the stigma of having a cleft.
![Mrighna with her mother after free Smile Train cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/mrighna-with-mother-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=eJUmQDrP)
A Mother Learns to Trust
![Sharvi and Shaivi at Smile Train offices in Dubai](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-06/heartmade-smile-office.jpg?itok=_nMQrnWa)
An Interview with Youth Ambassadors Sharvi and Shaivi
Their Walk for Smiles Fundraiser recently raised an incredible $16,000+ for Smile Train and we wanted to know more about the key to their success.