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.
![Oscar holding a picture of himself before free Smile Train cleft lip and plate surgery in Zambia.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/oscar-after-free-cleft-surgery-holding-before-picture-zambia.jpg?itok=u-8JmCUs)
Oscar is a Gift
How a mother found the strength to raise eight boys on her own and a son found the strength to smile.
![Adahara, on horseback, smiling in the Mexican sun after cleft treatment.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/adahara-on-horse-in-mexico-smiling-after-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-surgery.jpg?itok=VFM0TYWw)
The Smile That Will Spark Hundreds More
Adahara knew she was lucky to receive all the cleft treatment she needed from an early age. She's training to become a Smile Train partner because she knows not every child with a cleft is so lucky.
![Dr. Amanda Malungo holding a cleft patient after his surgery.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/amanda-malungo-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-surgeon-zambia-holding-patient.jpg?itok=iM3or6IP)
This Woman — and Smile Train Partner — is Making History in Zambia
She's 36 years old, a mother of four, Zambia's first female plastic surgeon, and a Smile Train partner. Here's how she does it all.
Milagros Finishes Strong
How Smile Train helped a girl who nearly didn't survive infancy grow to become queen of the rink.
![Livingstone with his friends after cleft lip and cleft palate surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/livingstone-with-friends-after-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-treatment.jpg?itok=zhxVMF1U)
Livingstone Clings to Life
Cleft surgery was only one piece of Livingstone's journey from malnourished baby to star of his village.
![Mirian sits in a dress with untreated cleft lip](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/mirian-sits-in-dress.jpg?itok=EsVtwYsk)
A Warrior at Heart
At one month old, Mirian weighed just four pounds. Five months later, with the support of our local partners, she had transformed into a happy, chubby baby.
![Samson's mom hold an image of Samson before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/samson-holding-before.jpg?itok=QB0FEtXr)
Baby Samson’s Superhuman Strength
Aunt Rebecca did not trust that her sister would provide Samson with the special care he needed. So, she brought him back to the place he was born, the tiny-two room house he now shared with 13 relatives, all female.
![Mia wears a superhero costume](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/mia-is-a-superhero-super.jpg?itok=5i2KiFdY)
Mia: The Hero We Need
It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Smile Train patient Mia from Argentina.
![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.
![Valery holds the image of herself before cleft lip surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/valery-holding-before-cleft-surgery-image.jpg?itok=89hoR6nv)
The Smile Virtuoso
When Valery was born, her parents cried at the sight of her cleft. Now, thanks to continuing treatment sponsored by Smile Train, Valery fills their lives with song and music.