Smile Train

At one month old, little Mirian weighed just four pounds. Like so many infants with clefts, her cleft lip and palate made it difficult for her to breastfeed despite her mother’s best efforts. She was already extremely malnourished and showed signs of severely delayed growth. Mirian’s mother, Modesta, was desperate to help her daughter, but the family’s situation left her feeling helpless. Modesta was raising her three children alone and the family relied on the income of Mod...esta’s father. Even traveling far enough to find such specialized care was out of their reach or so the family thought. Everything changed in May 2020 when a rescue team from Smile Train partner Esperanza de Vida Rescue and Nutritional Center arrived in the village of Limón Timote Camotan and found Mirian and her family. Knowing this was Mirian’s only chance at survival, Modesta traveled back with the rescue team to Esperanza de Vida’s Rescue and Nutritional Recovery Center, and once they arrived, the medical team wasted no time in assessing Mirian to begin her specialized treatment plan. Thanks to the nutrition team’s expertise and Modesta’s dedication to learning how to feed her daughter, Mirian reached a healthy weight and was released to go home five months later. Of course, Mirian’s cleft journey will soon continue with surgery and on-going care and Smile Train and Esperanza de Vida will be there to support her through it all! #AdvancingCleftNutrition

Meet Smile Train patient, Jumara! One day when delivering bananas and cassava plants to his local market, Jumara met a nurse from one of Smile Train’s local medical partners in Indonesia. The nurse noticed Jumara’s cleft lip, and shared that he could receive free corrective surgery through Smile Train. In addition to surgery, Jumara was assured he would be supported through every step of his journey, including transportation to and from the hospital. We are thrilled to share ...that this past August, just two days before his 63rd birthday, Jumara received his Smile Train-supported surgery! Nearly every week, Jumara receives compliments from friends and family on his new smile. Thank you Smile Train, Jumara told our team. You have fulfilled me and my family’s dreams. #PowerOfASmile

Meet Smile Train patient Sofia from Argentina! Sofia was born with a cleft palate, and even after surgery she was bullied for how she spoke. When local Smile Train partners at Notti Hospital performed a surgery to help her speak clearly, it gave her the confidence to not only talk, but sing. And when she sang one of her favorite songs for us, she got a wonderful surprise from Sebastian Yatra. Watch Sofia’s full story!

Introducing Maryan from Somalia! In partnership with Bela Risu Foundation, Maryan received his life-changing cleft surgery in October. Thanks to the dedication of our trained medical professionals, and the generosity of Smile Train donors around the world, we continue to give children just like Maryan a future to smile at!

Meet Smile Train patient Raffa from Indonesia! When Mamay found out she was pregnant, she and her husband, Samsahran, routinely went to the hospital for check-ins and ultrasounds. Mamay did not experience any abnormalities throughout her pregnancy, so the couple was shocked when they were told their baby boy would be born with a cleft. As an army officer who served near one of our partner hospitals in Cimachi, Sasahran instantly thought to contact Smile Train. We’re thrilled ...to share that Raffa received his Smile-Train supported surgery last February! Smile Train is truly an angel for my family, Samsahran told us. Raffa’s family has continually shared how grateful they are to Smile Train for providing timely and safe care along with quality surgery results. #PowerOfASmile