![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.
![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."
![Christine Smessaert in front of graffiti](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/christine-smessaert-graffiti.jpg?itok=O9IjVYa2)
Christine Smessaert: A Smile is a Connection
![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.
![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.
![Bhavana Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/bhavana-smiles.jpg?itok=SgknpyWG)
Bhavana Venkataram: The Importance of Comprehensive Cleft Care
It wasn’t until my trip to Mexico that I realized the impact Smile Train has — it was unbelievable.
![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.
![Kamse living with an untreated cleft lip in Kenya](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/kamse-before-cleft-surgery.jpg?itok=sREJDK6G)
A Student Of Resiliency
Kamse was excited for his first day of school, but, when the day finally came, he was taunted all day long. Kamse ran home and begged his grandfather never to make him go back.
![Kathryn Rodriguez and family](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/kathryn-rodriguez-header.jpg?itok=iIRC0fOV)
A Second Attempt in the Second City
Kathryn Rodriguez signs up to run the Chicago Marathon for her brother and daughter