![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.
![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.
![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.
A Virtual Journey of Smiles to Africa
Smile Train staff in Africa are ready to show you the impact of your support.
Smile Train Regional Update: Africa
![Ayubu before cleft lip surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/ayubu-before-cleft-lip-surgery.jpg?itok=9wYWba9j)
A Smile That Brightens And Enlightens
Ayubu's classmates harassed him relentlessly for years because of a local myth about clefts. When he was 10 years old, his mother heard there was hope at a hospital less than an hour away.
![Kamse living with an untreated cleft lip in Kenya](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/kamse-before-cleft-surgery.jpg?itok=sREJDK6G)
A Student Of Resiliency
Kamse was excited for his first day of school, but, when the day finally came, he was taunted all day long. Kamse ran home and begged his grandfather never to make him go back.
![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.
100,000 Smiles In Africa
When Zena's family thought they could never afford cleft treatment for their daughter, you gave them hope.