![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.
![Nijha Diggs wearing scrubs and holding a Smile Train sign before observing a free cleft surgery.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/nijha-celebrates-in-smile-train-surgery-scrubs-in-kenya.jpg?itok=z8-u84V8)
How Nijha Makes the Stars Smile
Talking celebrities and staying grounded with Smile Train’s Senior Director of PR.
![Snowfox Cafe with staff](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-08/Smile%20Train_chef%20Pic%20%283%29.jpg?itok=9V6wDOly)
Snowfox and Smile Train
Smile Train and JFE Franchising are proud to continue their partnership through 2021.
![Mrighna with her mother after free Smile Train cleft surgery in Nepal](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-07/mrighna-with-mother-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-nepal.jpg?itok=eJUmQDrP)
A Mother Learns to Trust
![doctor patient visit](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-06/Female%20-%20Smile_0.jpg?itok=mT3GBOWt)
Hippo Lending and Smile Train
Smile Train is pleased to announce a new partnership with Hippo Lending, a commercial lender focused solely on serving healthcare professionals.
![Pam with Susie and a patient](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/pam-s-with-child-and-susie.jpg?itok=n3ThW6VW)
Pamela Sheeran on Smile Train’s Investment in Expanding Non-Surgical Cleft Care
![Training doctors to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery in Asuncion, Paraguay.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/training-in-paraguay-for-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-in-asuncion.jpg?itok=wxWVIyks)
Smile Train’s Next Stop: Paraguay
Building a sustainable, local foundation for success in our newest partner country.
![Mathias Kiwanuka visits a child in Uganda wearing a New York Giants hat.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/mathias-kiwanuka-in-uganda-with-child-in-bed-ny-giants-hat-cleft-surgery.jpg?itok=Dxia187H)
Super Bowl Champion, Activist, Smile Maker: An Interview with our Newest Board Member
Mathias Kiwanuka knows the true meaning of greatness.
![A child with an untreated cleft lip in Philippines](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/ingred-patient-philippines.png?itok=2aMyaHiT)
Nourishing Hope in the Philippines
Dr. Ingrid Leal lends her expertise to improve nutrition programs in the Philippines
![Sesnie hugging a boy after cleft lip and cleft palate surgery in Ethiopia](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-04/sesnie-hugging-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-patient-ethiopia.jpg?itok=UGvLse46)
"I Am Resilient!" Meet Smile Train's Program Manager for East Africa
A conversation with one of our heroes.
![A school-aged Meng with her mother after cleft lip and cleft palate surgery in Cambodia](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/meng-with-mother-after-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-cambodia.jpg?itok=iVVNLX0x)
A Daughter's Cleft; a Mother's Journey
A mother’s account of her child’s journey to cleft care in her own words.