![Hector Daniel held by his family](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-06/hector-looks-forward.jpg?itok=ciFZXyX-)
We Are Smiles in El Salvador
When their son's life was changed forever, Héctor Rivas and Karen wanted to give the same relief to families across El Salvador.
![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
![Oscar holding a picture of himself before free Smile Train cleft lip and plate surgery in Zambia.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/oscar-after-free-cleft-surgery-holding-before-picture-zambia.jpg?itok=u-8JmCUs)
Oscar is a Gift
How a mother found the strength to raise eight boys on her own and a son found the strength to smile.
![Mirian sits in a dress with untreated cleft lip](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/mirian-sits-in-dress.jpg?itok=EsVtwYsk)
A Warrior at Heart
At one month old, Mirian weighed just four pounds. Five months later, with the support of our local partners, she had transformed into a happy, chubby baby.
![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.
![Doha, Smile Train staff member in Morocco](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/doha-smile-train-mena.jpg?itok=rP3wMvv7)
Nothing Stops Our Newest Smile Maker In Morocco
Doha is ready for her next big challenge — building an infrastructure for sustainable, local cleft care in her native country as Smile Train’s first regional director for Morocco.
![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.
![Samson's mom hold an image of Samson before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/samson-holding-before.jpg?itok=QB0FEtXr)
Baby Samson’s Superhuman Strength
Aunt Rebecca did not trust that her sister would provide Samson with the special care he needed. So, she brought him back to the place he was born, the tiny-two room house he now shared with 13 relatives, all female.
![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.”
![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.