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.
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.
![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.
![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.
![All the participants of Smile Train nutrition workshop](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/nutrition-workshop-burundi.jpg?itok=9jpGsSkB)
Training The Trainer
Health workers from Burundi attend a workshop so they can better teach others about the importance of cleft nutrition.
![Fernando in scrubs with arms crossed](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/fernando-arms-crossed.jpg?itok=MNVZkOXM)
A Father’s Legacy of Smiles
How one man built a legacy of smiles that will last for generations — on both sides of the operating table.
![Andrea in Smile Train scrubs](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/andrea-in-smile-train-scrubs.jpg?itok=I7wdA3WA)
Treating the Whole Child in Ecuador
Meet the brother-sister duo transforming cleft care in the mountains of Ecuador.
![Yusufa is happy](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-02/yusufa-happy.jpg?itok=lfmFxiTq)