![Zawata with mother after free Smile Train cleft lip palate surgery.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/zawata-with-mother-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-indonesia.jpg?itok=yKvG9D-e)
Healing a Daughter's Smile and a Mother's Heart
![Smile Train Lifebox Partners](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/smile-train-lifebox-logos.jpg?itok=tuguD_Mb)
A Growing Challenge, a Growing Commitment
Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative content series
![Aira smiling in school](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/aira-smiling-in-school.jpg?itok=Oy8xxlkC)
An Aira of Hope
When Aira started school, she struggled to speak up, was bullied, and had few friends. Now. after her cleft surgery, she's the star of the class!
![Cristian holds one of his dogs](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/cristiang-w-dog.jpg?itok=S7mAGUVV)
Healing Heartbreak with a Smile (Dogs Help, Too)
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.
![Kenzu with his family in a field](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/kenzu-in-field.jpg?itok=a0cLQn6p)
On the Other Side of Tears, a Smile
“Don’t worry, keep the faith, and tell others about Smile Train.”
![Saksham is holding an image of himself before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/saksham-holding-before-super_0.jpg?itok=YBOFWnED)
Saksham: Hope Is Always Alive
A boy from India is starving and his parents don't know what to do.
![Monica holding an image of herself as a child](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-01/monica-holding-before-image-super.jpg?itok=ga-5c3ew)
Monica’s Inner Strength Shows in Her Smile
Monica has been through more than any child should, but today she shines bright.
![Pilar poses with speech patient](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/pilar-cleft-speech.jpg?itok=Vs_UWq6c)
Dr. Maria del Pilar Echeverri: Revolutionizing Cleft Care in Colombia
Dr. Echeverri founded FISULAB in the belief that all aspects of cleft care are equal.
![Teenager Maria holds an image of herself as a baby before her cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/maria-holds-baby-image.jpg?itok=Ce_ZviBj)
With Maria Every Step of the Way
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.
![Saraswati holds a Smile Train fan](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/saraswati-holds-smile-train-fan.jpg?itok=w5hqUR0-)
Nourishing Saraswati
Saraswati's parents tried everything to feed their baby, but no matter what they tried, the milk still spilled out her cleft. She constantly screamed with hunger, and they didn't know how she'd make it. Then a friend told them about Smile Train.
![Three siblings in India have cleft treatment](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/one-family-india-three-cleft-surgeries.jpg?itok=DQP2AbQE)
One Family Needs Three Smiles
Kamlesh learned to live with his cleft. His three children could not.