Our Stories

A cleft mother’s true story of faith, miracles, and Smile Train

A mother’s account of her child’s journey to cleft care in her own words.

Cleft surgery was only one piece of Livingstone's journey from malnourished baby to star of his village.

Angelica was 15 years old, single, and had just given birth to a baby with a cleft. All she knew about clefts was how she had seen people with them harassed without mercy. But she promised to never give up on the little life before her. 

Monica has been through more than any child should, but today she shines bright.

Soan worried her son would be discriminated against his entire life.

Stella breastfed her seven other children without problems, but Maria’s clefts caused the milk to come out of her nose and made her choke.

When Samnang was born with a cleft, her parents felt overwhelmed. But a midwife reassured them that, thanks to Smile Train, they had nothing to fear.

When Oscar was born with a cleft, his family found a mission-based organization to provide him with the surgery they could not afford. But when a complication arose, they had already left the country. Thankfully, Smile Train's local partners are always there.