![Luke in formal attire](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/luke-zappia-bowtie.jpg?itok=TKzM-eia)
Luke Zappia Wants Children With Clefts to be Superheroes
He doesn't have a cleft, but Smile Train has always been like a part of his family.
![Emily Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/emily-wears-penn-shirt.jpg?itok=Wt4E7Ks4)
Emily Jiang Makes a Difference, No Matter the Distance
How one conversation — and one good idea — can make a huge difference.
![Mamta Carroll Smile Train India](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/mamta-carrol-smile-train-india.jpg?itok=PPz_vp9E)
Mamta Carroll: Every Patient is a World in Themselves
Mamta oversees Smile Train's programs from Egypt to the Philippines but sees the whole world in the smile of each individual child.
![Julia holds up Smile Train banner](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/julia-holds-smile-train-sign.jpg?itok=Fwh2eRvl)
Julia Hahn Knows the Power of a Smile
"I know Smile Train really is changing the world one smile at a time because one of those smiles is mine."
![Manny Ventura Smile Train supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/manny-ventura-smile-train-supporter.jpg?itok=2_TheN41)
Manny Ventura: “What’s Your Battle Scar?”
"Being born “different” is exactly why you should achieve big goals and be full of confidence."
![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.
![Grace Peters Smile Train staff](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/grace-peters.jpg?itok=_sNoVSgK)
Grace Peters: Born With a Purpose
How Smile Train helped Grace go from a girl looking for answers to global cleft hero.
![Mark Lent with medal from Chicago Marathon](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/mark-lent-chicago.jpg?itok=1Di-avsV)
Mark Goes the Extra Smile
When he turned 30, Mark knew he had to turn his life around and get fit. Thanks to Team EMPOWER, his good decision is also changing the lives of children in need around the world.
![Evelyn poses with speech patient Anthony](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/evelyn-with-speech-patient.jpg?itok=Jz8tmQbR)
Helping Patients with Clefts Find Their Voice
For Evelyn Caserres-Nano, speech therapy is more than a job — it is a calling.
![Dr Lawrence headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/dr-clayton-lawrence.jpg?itok=KHF5Jx-H)
Team EMPOWER Spotlight: Dr. Clayton Lawrence
We interview Smile Train Team EMPOWER member Dr. Clayton Lawrence.
![A mother with her child after her cleft lip and palate surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/model-of-empowerment-mother-with-child-with-a-cleft-lip-cleft-palate.jpg?itok=6f2lXZDh)
A Model of Empowerment
It's past time to rethink the mission model of cleft care.