![Barbara with her mother and sister.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/barbara-with-mother-sister-and-bunny-after-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-mexico-50.jpg?itok=_X45FAKk)
What Bárbara Taught Her Mother
![Kenyan Drake huddles with Smile Train patients in Mexico](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/kenyan-drake-in-mexico-with-smile-train-in-huddle-with-kids-nfl-philanthropy.jpg?itok=SJtAKfdh)
Kenyan Drake: NFL Star, Smile Maker
The Las Vegas Raider’s surprisingly personal connection to cleft care.
![Felix's mother holds him after his free Smile Train-sponsored cleft surgery in Argentina](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/felix-held-by-mother-in-the-air-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-argentina.jpg?itok=b-inEvgU)
Félix Didn't Need Luck, He Had Smile Train and GSK
![Auner smiling after free Smile Train cleft and lip surgery in Guatemala](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/auner-smiling-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-guatemala.jpg?itok=-TZYkg58)
![Cleft Awareness Month 2021 #cleftproud](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/cleft-awareness-month-cleft-proud-2021.jpg?itok=buw1bbZh)
What My Cleft Taught Me
In honor of Cleft Awareness Month 2021, Smile Train's Cleft Community Advisory Council presents real-life stories of growing up with a cleft or being the mom to a child with a cleft from people who have been there.
How Smile Train Helped Aaron Smile Even Before He Was Born
Our model of empowering local cleft teams makes all the difference for families like Aaron's.
![Students for Smiles logo](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/cla-state-fullerton-students-for-smiles-logo.jpg?itok=YQZTZDYl)
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Students Turn Crisis into Smiles
How one chapter of Smile Train’s Smile Impact Society made 2020 its most lucrative year yet.
![Iva as a girl before cleft surgery and now.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/iva-ballou-og.jpg?itok=Qc0JOgaA)
How Iva Found Joy in Her Cleft
![Anghelo hugs his mother after free cleft surgery in Peru](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/anghelo-with-mom-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-peru.jpg?itok=gX4sMVHu)
Anghelo Soars from the Lowest Valley to the Highest Peak
After experiencing some of the lowest depths imaginable, Anghelo and his family now celebrate their miraculous lives.
Milagros Finishes Strong
How Smile Train helped a girl who nearly didn't survive infancy grow to become queen of the rink.
![David's mom holds an image her son before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/david-holds-before.jpg?itok=BWHeD1_B)
David’s Cleft Journey in His Mother’s Words
Magaly is the mother of David, age five, a Smile Train patient in Quito, Ecuador. She shared with us her son’s journey to cleft care and what Smile Train has meant for her entire family.