Behind the Smiles: Dr. Preciosa Bento
Our Program Assistant for Southern Africa reflects on what working at Smile Train is really about
![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.
With Every Breath, Esvin Defies the Odds
His family thought a child like him could never make it. Then they encountered Smile Train
![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
![Cleft 22 woman gets flowers](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-07/cleft-22-header.jpg?itok=nCJfBMXv)
Cleft 2022: Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence
Smile Train brought 200+ medical partners from 46+ countries to the world’s largest cleft conference in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
![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
![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
![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.
![Auner smiling after free Smile Train cleft and lip surgery in Guatemala](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/auner-smiling-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-guatemala.jpg?itok=-TZYkg58)
![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.