![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.
![Celeste in Smile Train scrubs](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/nurse-celeste-in-scubs.jpg?itok=mrJTGdMl)
A Nurse's Commitment
Nurse Celeste always tried to avoid working with the babies with clefts in her neonatal ward because she felt unable to meet their needs. Then her son was born with a cleft.
![Manny Ventura Smile Train supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/manny-ventura-smile-train-supporter.jpg?itok=2_TheN41)
Manny Ventura: “What’s Your Battle Scar?”
"Being born “different” is exactly why you should achieve big goals and be full of confidence."
![Christine Smessaert in front of graffiti](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/christine-smessaert-graffiti.jpg?itok=O9IjVYa2)
Christine Smessaert: A Smile is a Connection
![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.
![Bhavana Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/bhavana-smiles.jpg?itok=SgknpyWG)
Bhavana Venkataram: The Importance of Comprehensive Cleft Care
It wasn’t until my trip to Mexico that I realized the impact Smile Train has — it was unbelievable.
![A mother with her child after her cleft lip and palate surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/model-of-empowerment-mother-with-child-with-a-cleft-lip-cleft-palate.jpg?itok=6f2lXZDh)
A Model of Empowerment
It's past time to rethink the mission model of cleft care.
![bauru surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/bauru01.jpg?itok=TPbZdMlJ)
Smile Train's International Scholars 2018
Meet the future of global cleft surgery.
![Nguyen Van Dau Smile Train partner](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/nguyen-van-dau-smile-train-partner.jpg?itok=_pj9Ka4O)
From Tragic Beginnings To Smiles In Vietnam
When Dr. Dau started as a Smile Train partner, he knew children with clefts were often abandoned or put in orphanages. As an orphan himself, he comes to work each day determined that no other child should experience that pain.