![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.
![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.
![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.
![Annointed with his mother, Favour, after his cleft surgery.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/annointed-with-mother-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nigeria.jpg?itok=uWuEc449)
Annointed for Greatness
The story of a cleft mother’s bravery, in her own words.
![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.
A Tourist, a Phone Call, and a Child Given a Second Chance at Life
Small acts of kindness can have really big consequences.
![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.
![Maria before her cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/maria-before-surgery-super.jpg?itok=cIdu5sXn)
It’s Never Too Late to Dream
Maria has been waiting for cleft surgery since 1953. When the opportunity came, her son wanted her to pass.
![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.