![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.
![Felix's mother holds him after his free Smile Train-sponsored cleft surgery in Argentina](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/felix-held-by-mother-in-the-air-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-argentina.jpg?itok=b-inEvgU)
Félix Didn't Need Luck, He Had Smile Train and GSK
![Smile Train patient Demaris from Kenya holds a picture of herself before her free cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/damaris-holding-photo-before-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-surgery-kenya.jpg?itok=g5glTJIO)
Determined Damaris
Even when the whole world seemed against her, Damaris persisted. And won.
![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
How Smile Train Helped Aaron Smile Even Before He Was Born
Our model of empowering local cleft teams makes all the difference for families like Aaron's.
![Harkirat with camera](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/harkirat-with-camera-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-india.jpg?itok=o0o6CZiZ)
Harkirat Singh Paras: From Quiet Kid to Successful Entrepreneur
He didn’t speak until he was 18. Now, people flock to hear him talk.
![Rajesh with his mother](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/rajesh-with-mother-savitri-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-india.jpg?itok=NExNlqME)
![Dr Esther Nyambura Njoroge](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/dr-esther-nyambura-njoroge.jpg?itok=qnfChSdH)
A Calling and a Duty: Advocating for Universal Health Coverage
An interview with Dr. Esther Njoroge-Muriithi.
Milagros Finishes Strong
How Smile Train helped a girl who nearly didn't survive infancy grow to become queen of the rink.
![David's mom holds an image her son before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/david-holds-before.jpg?itok=BWHeD1_B)
David’s Cleft Journey in His Mother’s Words
Magaly is the mother of David, age five, a Smile Train patient in Quito, Ecuador. She shared with us her son’s journey to cleft care and what Smile Train has meant for her entire family.
![Smile Train Africa staff member Neilson](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/neilson-smile-train-africa.jpg?itok=DCRt8B57)
Ready to Meet the Challenge in Madagascar
Neilsen helped a mission organization that flew doctors into Madagascar to provide cleft care, but he knew local doctors were as capable as those flying in.