Smile Train Regional Update: Americas
Our Regional Director for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean on our local response to COVID-19.
![Luke in formal attire](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/luke-zappia-bowtie.jpg?itok=TKzM-eia)
Luke Zappia Wants Children With Clefts to be Superheroes
He doesn't have a cleft, but Smile Train has always been like a part of his family.
![Emily Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/emily-wears-penn-shirt.jpg?itok=Wt4E7Ks4)
Emily Jiang Makes a Difference, No Matter the Distance
How one conversation — and one good idea — can make a huge difference.
Three Moms Passing Knowledge and Comfort On
Meet the three moms changing what it means to have a child with a cleft in Chiapas.
Nurse Celeste
Nurse Celeste used to feel so unable to help the babies with clefts that were born in her ward that she avoided them. Then she had a son with a cleft.
![Julia holds up Smile Train banner](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/julia-holds-smile-train-sign.jpg?itok=Fwh2eRvl)
Julia Hahn Knows the Power of a Smile
"I know Smile Train really is changing the world one smile at a time because one of those smiles is mine."
![Michael Ho Smile Train supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/michael-ho-student-ambassador.jpg?itok=FYAgKQUk)
Michael Ho Helps Others by Helping Himself
"I realized that I needed to put my shyness to the side if I really wanted to help others.”
Peggy and Katy
![Grace Peters Smile Train staff](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/grace-peters.jpg?itok=_sNoVSgK)
Grace Peters: Born With a Purpose
How Smile Train helped Grace go from a girl looking for answers to global cleft hero.
![Eva Ehlinger at Smile Train office](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/eva-ehlinger-in-smile-train.jpg?itok=fq1_0xIm)
Eva Ehlinger: Small Acts Add Up to Big Smiles
"Knowing the strong emotions I felt when Ethan was born, it was hard to imagine how a family with no access to life-saving surgery would feel. I wanted to help."
![Riley at Smile Train's office](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/riley-at-smile-train.jpg?itok=kRHYuQe7)
Riley Froomin is Baking, Talking, and Writing for Smiles
How Riley used her passions to get her whole community involved in raising money for smiles.