![Marciel with Ernie, Jr. and Ermalen before their cleft surgeries](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-10/pacatang-free-cleft-surgery-philippines-50.jpg?itok=t0vB0XJq)
Maricel: Both My Daughters Have Clefts and I Consider Myself the Luckiest Mom on Earth
![Sama](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-05/sama-smiling-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-egypt-50_0.jpg?itok=hJqFIEfi)
Sama’s Mother Never Gave Up on Her. Neither Will We
Where there’s a mother’s love, there’s always hope
![Sondos with her orthodontist](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-05/sondos-with-orthodontist-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-care-egypt-smile-train-50.jpg?itok=CCNT3voD)
Against All Odds, Sondos Designs a Future
Nearly starved at birth, orphaned at five, bullied relentlessly, Sondos has survived a lot in nine years. Now she’s ready to thrive
![Jula smiling in front of some plants](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-01/julia-capilli-plants-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-philippines-smile-train.jpg?itok=D9IoX0Bz)
Julia: A Rare and Beautiful Flower
How Smile Train helped a budding artist bloom through the unimaginable
![Saber being held by his father after his Smile Train cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-09/saber-after-free-smile-train-cleft-surgery-egypt.jpg?itok=pdWio38F)
Saber’s Cleft Journey, in His Parents’ Words
![Smile Train patient Smile Rai with his parents, who are holding a picture of him before his free cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-09/smile-rai-with-family-after-smile-train-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=UkUr4Lj3)
Destiny’s Smile
Even knowing help is available isn’t always enough to remove the stigma of having a cleft.
![Mrighna with her mother after free Smile Train cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/mrighna-with-mother-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=eJUmQDrP)
A Mother Learns to Trust
![Santi standing proud at work](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/santi-header.jpg?itok=1akchfpM)
Santi: “Dream Big; Don’t Stop”
For adults with clefts, a smile also means fulfilling work with dignity.
![Elizabeth before cleft treatment](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/elizabeth-before.jpg?itok=yUVE6LD2)
A Banner Year for Elizabeth
Elizabeth's family tries to find the cleft surgery she desperately needs, in the middle of a lockdown.
Following Up With Aldrian
Aldrian is still on his cleft treatment journey. Watch as he works on speaking with confidence.
![Andrea before her cleft lip surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/andrea-before-cleft-surgery.jpg?itok=TyxTVyr2)
Bravery And Courage Also Run In Her Family
Just when Jeann thought she had found a way to get her daughter with a cleft to a healthy weight, COVID-19 forced the entire island into lockdown.