I’ve been a Smile Train supporter for as long as I can remember and I’ve had the privilege to work as part of Smile Train’s marketing department for almost two years — I thought I knew everything there was to know about the Power Of A Smile. But after visiting Smile Train partners in Indonesia, I know that posting a photo on social media isn’t the same as seeing the joy in a mother’s eyes firsthand. Reading and sharing patient stories pales in comparison to actually holding a child in your arms whose entire life has changed thanks to a simple cleft surgery.

My journey started with Smile Train partner hospital RS. Permata Sari in Semarang where I met several families who had traveled from all over the region for cleft surgery. One of the patients was a 6-year-old girl named Lila. Lila was born with a cleft lip and palate, but fortunately found Smile Train and was able to received surgery as a baby. You can now barely tell that she has ever had a cleft. Lila also was kind enough to sing a song for us, and she has a beautiful singing voice, and the confidence to match. Although I was nervous before I got to the hospital, seeing how happy and brave Lila was singing in front of a room full of people made me instantly feel more at ease.

A few days later, I flew to Bali to visit The Smile House. The Smile House is an amazing organization that provides cleft patients waiting for and recovering from surgery a free place to stay, speech therapy classes, and feeding trainings. I met a 24-year-old man who was about to receive his first cleft lip surgery the next day. He lived in a very remote village and said that he had no idea that cleft surgery even existed. It’s sad that he felt like an outsider for so long, but he was so excited about returning to his village with a new smile and a brand new start.

I could go on and on, about all of the amazing people that I met, but the moral would remain the same — a new smile is a powerful thing. A new smile helped to give Lila the confidence to sing, and all of the children from The Smile House a chance to stop hiding in isolation. Cleft repair surgery, and the new smiles it gives, allows children to live the full lives that they want and deserve.

In early February, Smile Train supporter Lynda Wilson peacefully passed away surrounded by her loved ones. Lynda’s son Stuart shares, in his own words, some of the things he learned about his mother in her last days.

When my mum knew she wasn’t going to be with us for much longer, her strength and character showed through in many ways – it was very inspiring. One of her wishes was for her friends and family to give to a cause that would help others after she was gone – she was always thinking of others before herself.

As a nursery nurse, mum devoted her working life to helping children. She taught them to read, spell, add up, and taught them how to overcome challenges in their lives. She made them smile with her kindness and care.

One story she shared with me was from when she was just 16-years-old. At the time, she was a nursey nurse trainee and she started looking after a baby with a cleft palate. The baby had been abandoned at the hospital by her mother, but luckily the child’s father stepped in and committed himself to looking after his daughter. When the father had to work, he brought his newborn to mum’s nursey and mum cared for her.

My mum described the baby as having the most beautiful eyes. It was clear that even 50 years later the unfairness of the child’s abandonment was still something that made mum sad. She wanted friends and family to donate to a charity that would help treat children born with clefts. No child should have to suffer through this correctable condition or, even worse, be abandoned or neglected by their parents and society.

Mum’s kindness has already helped to raise more than £600 for Smile Train, and I hope that we will add even more smiles to that total.

If you would like to donate to Lynda’s memory visit Justgiving.com/LyndasSmiles/

Only the parents of a child with a cleft palate could understand the state of helplessness and distress when your child is unable to take-in proper nutrition. She would choke when using a bottle, even after we started using a specially designed nipple– her choking problem only increased as she grew older and we started feeding her food with spoon.

Muskan’s cleft palate was the cause of many sleepless nights and it flooded our minds with worries about her future. I thought, “Would she ever be able to eat, breathe, and speak like other children?” Finally our worries we were eased when a relative told us about a man who had performed a free cleft palate surgery for their daughter — Smile Train partner surgeon Dr. Tahmeed Ullah.

During our first visit to Dr. Ullah’s clinic, we saw dozens of other children with similar problems. Some of them had already had their transformational cleft surgeries, while others were waiting for the miracle to happen. I felt that we were not alone in our mixed feelings of hope and distress when I looked at the other parent’s faces. When Dr. Ullah, told us that Muskan was accepted for Smile Train sponsored surgery, it revived our hope for our daughter’s future.

On the day of the surgery, my wife was much more composed and confident than me. All day she reassured me that Muskan was in good hands with Dr. Ullah and Smile Train. She was correct in her trust — Dr. Ullah brought our child back to us safe and sound. Our nightmare was over.

Muskan has transformed from a journey of pain and agony to a complete child with a complete smile. She can now eat without difficulty. It may seem like a small thing but it is wonderful to have her eat the same meal as the rest of the family. Thank you very much Smile Train — life is much easier now that Muskan has a perfect smile.

By Javeed

Former cleft patient and long-time Smile Train supporter Patricia Simon explains why she’s dedicated her life to being an advocate for those affected by cleft lip and palate.

My name is Patricia Simon and I was born with a cleft lip and palate. I had very supportive parents who were able to provide me with cleft surgeries and speech therapy and I could always count on the love and support of my four siblings and friends. I was fortunate, but my family and I also had to traverse a great deal of challenges in my road to cleft repair, which has led me to become an advocate for others affected by cleft lip and palate.

As a registered nurse, I get to work hands-on with people facing health issues in my community. Over the years, I’ve been able to care for babies born with cleft lips and palates and provide support to their families. I’ve found that it’s very comforting for parents to get advice from a medical professional who faced the same situation. My goal is to lead my patients to appropriate care so they can come out of it with a positive and optimistic outlook.

I know how frustrating ongoing medical care can be. Over the last two years, I underwent multiple surgeries to build bone for my palate in order to accommodate dental implants for my two front teeth.

Going through medical care as an adult was one of the many reasons I decided to start my own website called Smile with Simon and my blog Simon Says Smile Today. These sites offers support, information, and an opportunity to network with others affected by cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial conditions. I hope that others will benefit from my knowledge and children can find a space to navigate through difficult social situations, such as bullying.

I’m also trying my hand at writing a children’s book about cleft lip and palate. The story is about Simon, a cardinal born with a separation in his beak. It will be a story of love, acceptance, and kindness. It will speak to the importance that a smile has on others. Smiling is so important for the soul!

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead -Nelson Mandela

Peter James, of Market Harborough, plans to launch a local festival to raise money for Smile Train, following his ‘life-changing’ trip to Vientiane, Lao PDR.

After supporting Smile Train for several years, Peter James decided to visit Smile Train partner Children’s Hospital located in Vientiane, Lao PDR, so that he could witness the impact his donations were making in the lives of local children.

During his time at the hospital, Peter met with Smile Train Country Manager, Dzung T. Nguyen, and Senior Surgeon, Dr Chay Phachanh, who educated him on the process of sourcing and treating children with clefts in the region.

“The trip was an unforgettable and life-changing experience — It completely opened my eyes to how vital cleft surgery is for children living in Lao PDR and similar parts of the world. I learnt that children with clefts are often hidden away from their community, so the first – and most difficult – task for Smile Train is to reach out and find them,” said Peter.

Peter continued, “Smile Train is such a great charity because the surgery they help fund for children is totally life-changing. The opportunity to have a procedure to treat their cleft is a gift and can have a huge positive impact on the whole family — it’s like a rebirth for the family.”

Following his trip, Peter has decided to launch an internationally-themed festival called “East West Fest- Bringing the World Together” in Market Harborough and Bournemouth to raise additional funds for Smile Train. The festival will invite local residents to join together and experience arts, crafts, foods and textiles from all over the globe.

We were so pleased to hear that Peter was inspired by his trip to our partner hospital in Vientiane. It’s always fantastic to hear that our fundraisers are inspired by our work and have seen first-hand the impact donations have for children in developing countries. We are delighted to have Peter as a Smile Train supporter, and are very much looking forward to his ‘Bringing the World Together’ festival.
Hannah Weston, Community and Events Manager, Fundraising, Smile Train UK

I was invited to join Smile Train’s Young Leadership Circle in the summer of 2014, right around the time my boyfriend and I were moving to Hanover, New Hampshire, so he could begin at Tuck. I found a great job at Dartmouth, as well.

When I moved, I was initially concerned about being so far away from the action in New York City and the Young Leadership Circle. There would be no happy hours, no fun charitable gatherings, no meetings at Smile Train’s HQ office to greet new board members and eat pizza — activities that I really enjoy!

After things settled down a bit, I hosted a bake sale in the community center. It seemed like all the Tuck Partners—significant others of the students — contributed something delicious from homemade apple pie, to individually wrapped satchels of caramel toffee popcorn. We quickly brought in around $600 — who knew that Tuck students love to eat so many sweets!

A few months later, when the average temperature was -10°, I thought it would be nice to get sweaty at Dartmouth’s Alumni Gym. My neighbor, a spin instructor by night, happily conducted two back-to-back classes. I called it Spin for Smiles, and before the actual event, I stopped by every shop on Main Street in order to ask for gifts for the biker who put in the most effort and nearly all of the owners gave something — it’s so nice living in a small town where people say yes more than no.

Last week, I organized my favorite event so far. I called it Win a Date with a Hot Tuckie. This may sound familiar if you saw the highly acclaimed film, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton. On the Thursday before Valentine’s Day, I partnered with two Tuck students to host a raffle for a few hours before the annual Valentine’s Day Massacre Hockey Game (no, it’s not as macabre as it sounds). Students bought tickets to win a date with one of four eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. The winners were announced with much fanfare in-between hockey periods. We made $630 in two hours! Tuck is one of the smallest business schools in the United States, so I was thrilled with the turn out.

I want to thank the community at the Tuck School of Business. They have allowed me to continue to support Smile Train and have gone above and beyond supporting all of the fundraisers I have planned. I can’t wait to see what the spring brings!

Dates auctioned off at Win a Date with a Hot Tuckie

No, this is not false advertising – you won’t be buying tickets for a date with either of the women in the foreground. Instead you’d win a date with the perfect gentleman who is a big believer in letting his date bask in the spotlight.

Need we say more? She is definitely an all-American girl, but unlike the mass-merchandised doppelganger she’s one-of-a-kind. You do not want to miss out on this lucky opportunity.

Notice anything missing from this photo? Here’s a hint, it could be you. Don’t let the picture fool you though, this guys is a real charmer.

We’re told that not only does she love giraffes, but that she also loves tripod, yoga, and has an affinity for tequila. Think you can make her fall in love with you?

I’m excited to share that we have already hit the ground running and have a number of exciting plans for Smile Train in 2016! Supporters of our programs often ask me what is new or coming down the pipeline, so I thought I would provide a sneak peek of a few new programs and efforts this year.

Smile Train continues to invest more and more in our comprehensive care programs, such as speech therapy and orthodontics, so that all our patients can go on to live a full life. In January, Smile Train hosted its first speech therapy training in Ghana. With participants from across West Africa, the event helped pave the way for more children in the region to access critical speech services after their cleft surgery.

We are always aiming to grow our local partnerships with cleft teams so that we can help as many children as possible. Recently we launched new partnerships and programs in Haiti, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic. It is so inspiring to see the commitment these medical teams have to help children in their own communities. Smile Train’s support for surgery, training, equipment and other needs helps ensure that children no longer have to wait for life-changing treatment and their families can feel confident that the care being provided will be high-quality, safe, and completely free.

We work tirelessly to raise awareness about clefts as a treatable medical condition. The children we are trying to reach are often hidden away, shunned or isolated in their communities so our efforts to get the word out at the grassroots level are essential. This year, our Smile Train team in India has planned a series of cleft weeks across the country. While a child can get help from our programs all year round, a cleft week is a special time that the whole village comes together to help reach children with clefts in need. Our ambassadors and local partners spend time in the village market, places of worship, schools, and even going door to door in a campaign to educate the public about clefts and the opportunity for free treatment with a local Smile Train partner. These efforts help us reach hundreds more children who could otherwise remain left behind.

Here at Headquarters, we are also focusing on how we can continue to measure our impact and ensure that we are leveraging our donors’ support as best as possible around the developing world. We created and host the world’s largest cleft treatment database, Smile Train Express, so that we can track every single patient we serve and monitor the care they are receiving.  We are constantly updating this technology to ensure it meets our needs as our programs grow and expand, such as adding new features for speech therapy + orthodontics and adding new languages so it can be used seamlessly anywhere in the world.

While these are a few of our new efforts, one thing will never change: Smile Train and our partner hospitals around the world are working as hard as possible to make sure that each and every child with a cleft will receive the best possible care. We are looking forward to creating many more smiles together with you in 2016!

What first inspired you to support Smile Train?
Our family has been aware of Smile Train’s heroic work for years. We’d see the ads in magazines, and show them to our children, Vivienne and Turner. We’d say “this is what compassion into action looks like. We are blessed, and it’s our responsibility to help others.” Then we’d write a check together and send it in.

Fast forward to the 2015 Clinton Global annual meeting, and there I am about to sit down to brunch for a plenary session. Who’s sitting to my left, but your extraordinary and wonderful CEO, Susie Schaefer. Total sweetheart. We hit it off immediately, because we were both…smiling! I’m serious! We put our compassion into action, right there, in this STAND.

What does the Power of a Smile mean to you?
Phyllis Diller said: “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” It really does—for the “smiler”—and the “smilee.” I don’t know of anything that easier to do and costs nothing—yet is priceless.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the Power of a Smile differently?
I look at the power of a smile differently in this way: one simple procedure can alter the trajectory of an entire life. I suppose you can measure that in better health, more education, etc. But you cannot measure the ripple effects of that new smile: the impact that person’s smile has on everyone around them, compounded over their entire lives. It’s beautiful when you think about it.

What keeps you wanting to stay involved with Smile Train?
1. The work. The direct line to impact. $250 for a new smile. It’s clear and compelling.

2. The people. The people behind Smile Train are passionate, smart, kindhearted—and fun! And that matters. It makes helping fun. That’s a good thing for everyone.

What has the Power of a Smile done for you in your life?
I’m a big smiler. I go around smiling and hugging people. It can be a little much for some folks, but I believe in the Law of Attraction (which isn’t some Pollyanna notion. It’s a scientific fact.) You get what you put out in the world. If you’re happy and smiling, your life will reflect that. Happiness is a choice—and they’re no easier way to be happy than to smile.

Since 2012, Lifebox has provided thousands of lifesaving pulse oximeters to Smile Train partners worldwide. The pulse oximeters measure the level of oxygen in a patient’s blood while under anesthesia during cleft surgery, sounding an early warning alarm if a patient is becoming short of oxygen and providing an opportunity to prevent brain damage and heart failure. Simply put, the pulse oximeters help save lives.

“This is a marvelous device that we use with all our surgical patients in the OR and post-operatively. It permits us to intervene to correct a problem much earlier than we were able to when relying on clinical signs. It is accurate, reliable, sturdy, simple to use by any level of healthcare worker and easy to teach. We send kudos to all who have contributed to this unique and worthwhile project. Many, many thanks for helping us and for the precious lives your efforts have saved.” Smile Train partner, Hôpital de District de Kolofata (Kolofata District Hospital), Cameroon

What first inspired you to support Smile Train?
I was able to have three surgeries to correct my cleft lip because of my family’s healthcare plan—I know that others are not that fortunate. A new smile can restore the confidence of children ostracized for something completely out of their control. By giving them the ability to regain their pride and confidence, I know that we are making an immeasurable impact on them as individuals, their families and communities.

If you could give one piece of advice to a child with a cleft what would it be?
Stay positive and be proud of who you are. What makes you different can also be your greatest strength.

Why should others be inspired to donate to Smile Train?
Who doesn’t want to help someone smile? We spend money on presents, food, comedy shows, and an endless amount of other short-term means to make us smile. An investment toward a cleft surgery, through Smile Train, creates a smile for life!

What makes you smile?
Being able to make a positive impact in other people’s lives.

If you’re interested in your company matching your gift to Smile Train please visit smiletrain.org/donate/matching-gift.html

I recently participated in my first Journey of Smiles trip. These trips provide Smile Train supporters the opportunity to visit partner hospitals and patients in the field. For me, there is nothing more impactful and rewarding than seeing first-hand how Smile Train gives children second chances at life, and I was thrilled by the opportunity to visit our partners in Indonesia.

Our first visit was to partner hospital Yaya Senyum Bali where we viewed a cleft lip surgery and visited their Smile House. The Smile House was created to offer patients and their families a place to stay and receive pre- and post-operative assistance. Many of our patients travel very long distances to reach our partner hospitals, especially in Indonesia, an archipelago of 18,307 islands! Some of our patients have never seen electricity or running water before they arrive in Bali.

The staff at the Smile House provides more than just room and board for patients and their families, they also connect them with a larger network of people who are going through the same experience. During their time at the Smile House everyone is one big family.

Some people are so moved by their experience at the Smile House that they are inspired to give back. One former patient was so thankful for all that the Smile House provided for her, she decided to stay on and work as the Smile House’s cook.  She’s able to provide not just meals for those staying there, but support from someone who knows exactly what they are going through.

From Bali, we flew to Bandung to meet the staff and patients at our partner hospital YPPCBL. Our entire group was humbled by the compassion with which the staff approached their efforts of helping children with clefts. They are constantly pushing themselves to try and find ways to do even more to help their patients. Their whole team, surgeons, speech therapists, social workers and administrators, are so wonderful that it’s not hard to imagine why the people at the cleft center have become like a second family for their patients.

After our time at YPPCBL, we visited former Smile Train patient Elka and her family, who live in a two room apartment on the outskirts of Bandung.

Elka received free cleft palate surgery at YPPCBL when she was three years old, two years later than when most babies receive cleft palate surgery. Repairing a cleft palate at that age caused Elka to develop a speech impairment and require years of speech therapy, provided for free at YPPCBL.

YPPCBL’s speech therapist, who works with Elka, accompanied us on the visit. It was so heartwarming to see the relationship that the speech therapist had with Elka. It felt like she was part of Elka’s family.

I am beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to travel to Indonesia, meet our local team there and share this experience with our supporters. Words cannot describe how inspiring it was to see our programs through their eyes. Without the support of our donors, none of this would be possible.

To find out how you can join us on a Journey of Smiles visit: smiletrain.org/journeyofsmiles

What first inspired you to work at Smile Train?
I was impressed by Smile Train’s focus on a single solvable problem. It was also important for me that Smile Train was building, supporting and strengthening our partner’s medical capacity rather than providing international aid as outsiders, without local knowledge.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the Power Of A Smile differently?
I see the Power Of A Smile as an immense number of children in need that are being helped by the generosity of the donors, dedication of the local doctors, medical staff, social workers and Smile Train’s efforts. The image of one million smiling faces cannot leave one unmoved.

What keeps you involved in Smile Train?
The difference that Smile Train makes in peoples’ lives. I am touched and motivated, every time I see an image of a mother leaning over her child after a cleft surgery with renewed hopes. I read accounts of a doctor who adopted a cleft patient he found chained to a tree, families walking for days for their new smiles, children learning to sing after their surgeries. A new smile makes great things happen.

What do you think the Power Of A Smile is?
A smile opens doors, increases confidence, and provides comfort at just the right moment.

Smile Train supporter and former cleft patient, Nina Bolhuis, talks about what the Power Of A Smile means to her.

What inspired you to support Smile Train?
I think that more people need to be aware that cleft lip and palate is often a very serious health issue—especially for children with clefts who can’t afford a surgery. I recently found Smile Train on Instagram and I was amazed by all of the smiling children Smile Train has reached.

If you could give one piece of advice to a child with cleft what would it be?
Be self-confident. Once I learned to embrace myself all of the shame went away. You may not look like everyone else but you’re beautiful and strong. Embrace your imperfections, they will always be there, and that makes you, you.

What did being born with a cleft teach you about life?
It taught me to stand up for myself. When I was younger, I ignored bullying by pretending that it didn’t bother me but now I’ve learned to confront bullying by openly talking about my cleft. Once people know your story, they will be less likely to try to hurt you.

What makes you smile?
I always say, “Don’t search for happiness, find it.” I think that some people overthink happiness and often miss all of the happy things all around. A child helped by Smile Train makes me happy. My family and friends make me happy. Music and dancing make me happy.

In early 2015, Agnetta Muhawenimana gave birth to her first son, Samwel, who was unexpectedly born with a cleft lip. The extended family, many of whom worked with Agnetta at their small family farm, gathered at her home in anticipation of Samwel’s arrival. But instead they all sat in silence and feared for Samwel’s life.

Samwel began to lose weight because his cleft lip hindered his ability to breastfeed. Food was already scarce for the large family, and Agnetta did not know if her frail son would survive. After several weeks of trial and error, Agnetta discovered that she could feed Samwel breastmilk with a spoon, and he began to put on weight.

When Samwel was six-months-old, Agnetta heard a local radio host describing free Smile Train sponsored cleft surgery in Rwamagana. Agnetta knew this was her chance to provide Samwel a second chance at life, but she could not afford the transportation costs, as Smile Train’s partner hospital was 100 miles away. She decided to go door-to-door, asking to borrow money from neighbors until she had enough to cover the bus ride there. She would worry about how she was going to get home later.

In August of 2015, Samwel arrived at our Smile Train partner hospital in Rwamagana, and since he was at a healthy weight he was approved for free cleft lip surgery. When he came out of surgery, Agnetta said, “Bless all of the people who have given my son a new tomorrow.” After the local medical team was told about the family’s financial problems, Agnetta even received a small grant to cover the cost of transportation back home.

New Orleans, LA- Karen Vincent, Middle School teacher at Stuart Hall School for Boys writes about her students’ fundraising efforts for Smile Train. They have raised enough funds to provide more than 100 free cleft surgeries.

For nine years now, the sixth grade men of Stuart Hall School for Boys have sponsored a lemonade sale during the month of October to benefit Smile Train. At our school, we work each month on a quality that we would like to improve in ourselves and each is sponsored by a grade level. Ours is Compassion – we do our best to raise as much money as possible through both our lemonade sale and private donations to fund new smiles for children we will never meet, but whose lives will be forever changed by our actions.

I am continually surprised at how generous these men are. We only charge 25¢ for a cup of iced cold lemonade (it’s HOT here until at least Thanksgiving), but almost every child will put in a dollar and say, “Just keep the change for those kids.” Many will bring in their allowance or the contents of their savings bank. It’s truly impressive.

During our Monday chapels in October, we inform the student body about Smile Train and their efforts, so they are well acquainted with what a cleft is and how it affects someone’s life. In the spring of this year, Caitlin Roarke, Manager, Community Relations from Smile Train came to visit us. When she asked the students if any of them knew what a cleft was, every hand in the chapel went up! Later she told me that it kind of threw off her speech that she had prepared – the men of Stuart Hall KNOW about Smile Train!

University of Cincinnati’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity recently held their 5th Annual Ginger Greek Competition to raise funds for Smile Train. Ginger Greek is a holiday-themed philanthropy that invites student organizations to compete in a holiday movie trivia night, a Santa run, and ginger bread house competition over a three day period.

More organizations are attending Ginger Greek every year and the event is quickly becoming a campus institution. This wildly successful event started with humble beginnings, as an idea from former Sigma Phi Epsilon president, and former cleft patient, Mark Kroger. Mark wanted to raise funds for children living with unrepaired clefts and realized that the holidays were the perfect time to bring people together in the spirit of giving.

The fraternity has continued the tradition with the help of Mark’s younger brothers, who also became members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. “Over the past five years our fraternity has helped children, who we’ll never meet, have the opportunity to live a more normal life,” said Mark.

Ginger Greek 2015, raised enough for 58 new smiles. Smile Train would like to thank the Kroger family, University of Cincinnati students, and the brothers at Sigma Phi Epsilon, for changing the world one smile at a time.

What does the “Power of a Smile” mean to you?
A smile is very powerful. A smile conveys inner strength and happiness. A smile can bring joy to anyone who is giving or receiving it. A smile can opens doors and conversations into other people’s worlds–I think my wife first liked me for my smile.

If you could give one piece of advice to a child with cleft what would it be? 
Never give up hope. Keep the faith that one day soon you will be able to have life-changing surgery.

What first inspired you to support Smile Train?
Once I learned that a cleft lip and palate could be repaired with a relatively simple surgery, and that Smile Train attends to the cleft children’s emotional and physical needs– I knew that a donation would be immensely rewarding for me. What better gift is there than to give the chance to provide life-changing surgery and follow-up care for a child and his or her family?

What was it about Smile Train that stood out to you from other charities? 
The structure and goal of the organization for providing not only the surgery but the necessary support and care leading up to and after the surgery.  The goals of the 3-dimensional virtual surgery simulator program exemplify Smile Train’s goals for education and teaching.

Why do you take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program? 
I was so excited when I learned that my pharmaceutical company had a matching gift program. I knew that company match contributions to Smile Train would be a great way to double my impact to help children.

If you’re interested in your company matching your gift to Smile Train please visit smiletrain.org/donate/matching-gift.html

Julieanne and her husband Nigel, from Bromborough in Wirral, have always loved to host parties for their family and friends. But after receiving a Smile Train leaflet through the letter box in 2011, they decided that these parties could serve an even greater purpose – to raise money for children suffering from cleft lips and palates in the developing world. We recently caught up with Julieanne to hear more about her fundraising parties.

Can you tell us more about your parties?
Nigel and I started hosting Smile Train parties roughly five years ago with a small party in the garden. We decided to ask for donations instead of people bringing presents. The first party was so successful that we have hosted one every year since, and each year the guest list just keeps growing.

Tell us about your 60th Birthday Party
We had more than 60 guests, who each donated £20 to attend. We also had small fees to participate in our party games and raffle. Altogether, we raised £2,550 –  enough money to cover the surgery costs for 18 children born with cleft lips and palates!

Why do you continue to support Smile Train?
We enjoy raising money for an excellent charity like Smile Train because we know that a relatively small amount of money can change the lives of the children they help. All of us living in the UK have so much to be thankful for. It is wonderful to be able to help others in this way and have a great party at the same time.

What makes you Smile?
Hosting parties. There’s nothing nicer than getting all your friends and family together – the house just comes alive!

Dr. Esther Nyambura Njoroge, Regional Director, Smile Train Africa talks about what the Power Of A Smile means to her.

What first inspired you to work at Smile Train?
I studied medicine so I would be able to work for an organization that transform children’s lives. When I read about Smile Train’s work in Africa I knew that was where I wanted to be. Working with Smile Train helps me change the world, in my own small way.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the Power Of A Smile differently?
We take a lot of life’s gifts for granted.  Meeting and interacting with patients born with cleft lip and/or palate has made me appreciate my ability to smile. A smile is like an invitation to invite someone into your life. Giving cleft patients the power to interact with their community is a gift like no other.

What keeps you involved in Smile Train?
I wake up every day with purpose and go to bed every night satisfied that I have changed a life forever. I love when I see the joy in a mother’s eyes the moment they see their child after surgery—I’m so grateful to Smile Train for allowing me be a part of a miracle.

Mohammed Nisar and his wife never learned how to read when they were growing up in Southeast Pakistan. This made it difficult to find steady work and provide for their growing family. So Mohammed took a job as a rickshaw driver, primarily to pay for his children’s educations. It was very important to them that all of their children would grow up with the ability to read and have the opportunity to be prosperous.

When Mohammed’s wife gave birth to their fifth child Sophia, the family was shocked to see she was born with a cleft lip and palate. The little money they had went toward paying for Sophia’s siblings’ educations, and the price of cleft lip and palate surgeries for Sophia was completely unattainable.

As Sophia grew older, she avoided everyone she encountered. When she left the house, she buried her face in her mother’s dress or walked with her hands covering her face. When she was old enough to attend a local school with her siblings, Mohammed said that Sophia was immobilized with fits of anxiety and she refused to leave her home.

At nine-years-old, Sophia had a fortunate encounter at a local market with a representative from local Smile Train partner CLAFT. Dr. Zubair A. Abbasi recalls, “Sophia suffered from psychosocial problems. She was very nervous when we met and she was constantly covering her cleft lip with her hand.” The doctor invited Sophia and her mother to a local clinic and she was approved for her Smile Train sponsored cleft lip and palate surgeries.

The surgeries were successful and Sophia got her beautiful smile back. “Sophia was a totally changed girl when I saw her last. She was smiling, did not cover her face, and had complete confidence,” said Dr. Abbasi. Mohammed recently visited the clinic to thank Smile Train and CLAFT. He said that Sophia can freely leave their home and has decided that she is ready to go to school. Now Mohammed’s dream that all of his children will be able to read and have the opportunity to be prosperous is finally a reality.

When Allo Charles was born with cleft lip, his parents recognized what the condition was, but had never personally seen it before. The children in their village who were previously born with cleft lip or palate were either in hiding or had been killed. Clefts in this village, in rural Chad, are seen by the villagers as a bad omen and are considered a punishment from God for the family’s sins. After Allo was born with a cleft lip, his parents quickly decided that every child is a gift and they would openly raise Allo in their community, without shame.

Almost immediately, there were harsh consequences. Allo’s family wasn’t allowed to attend village meetings, and they were socially ostracized. Allo remembered, “I couldn’t eat or play with others because their parents wouldn’t let their children get close to me. There were several superstitions about my cleft, and they even made me believe some of them. I thought I was cursed.”

When Allo attended primary school, he said that his fellow students and teachers made his life miserable. They said his education was a waste of time and he would never amount to anything. “School for me was hell, but living with an unrepaired cleft made me strong. The more I was insulted, the more I wanted to prove them wrong and make something of my life,” said Allo.

Allo thought that secondary school might be his chance for a better life. The day he left his village for a room in the much larger city of N’Djamena, his new landlord wouldn’t allow Allo to move in. The landlord said that his children were afraid of Allo and he did not want them to catch his disease. Allo decided to move in with his cousin while he figured out what to do next.

Fortunately, during this downtime from school, he saw a Facebook post from Smile Train partner WECCARE  Foundation. He thought the offer of free cleft surgery was too good to be true, but decided to go to WECCARE  after seeing the program was endorsed by the First Lady of Chad. “On that day, for the first time in my life, I discovered that I wasn’t alone. There were dozens of people who looked just like me at the hospital.” Three days later, Allo received his Smile Train sponsored, free cleft surgery.

Now Allo says he wants to repay Smile Train and WECCARE’s  wonderful gift of a new smile by going back to school and becoming an advocate for children with cleft lip and palate living in Chad.

Samantha Johnston, Manager, Corporate Partnerships talks about what the Power Of A Smile means to her.

What first inspired you to work at Smile Train?
I loved how focused the organization is. I was impressed about Smile Train’s laser-focus of solving a single problem in the most effective way possible. Also, the fact that they leveraged technology to continually improve day-to-day operations was important to me; it allows me to go to work knowing we will accomplish as much as possible every single day.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the power a smile differently?
It’s easy to forget that a smile is so much more than a physical feature. To the children Smile Train helps, a smile is a second chance at life. It’s the opportunity to go to school, have friends, and get a job. It’s the opportunity to have dreams that they may never have had without Smile Train.

What keeps you involved in Smile Train?
Knowing we bring happiness to children, families and communities around the world every day keeps me going. Smile Train has achieved some great smilestones in such a short time, but there’s still more work to be done. I want to be sure I do everything in my power to help Smile Train reach as many children as possible.

When Lena gave birth to her daughter Lavender, the whispers about the infant’s cleft lip spread quickly throughout their tiny village of Masindet, Kenya.  As neighbors lined up to see the baby, Lena was devastated when she overheard someone saying, “Babies like this shouldn’t exist.”

The family struggled to raise the funds for cleft surgery for more than a year. Lena’s stress and disappointment boiled over during a family argument – she decided to leave the family and run away. Now alone with Lavender, her father knew that he needed help so he asked his mother Irene for support.

Irene fortunately knew that surgery could correct Lavender’s unrepaired cleft lip because her cousin also had a cleft. She told her son that Lavender’s condition was nothing to be embarrassed of. “Stop questioning why Lavender was born with a cleft lip, it is just something that happens, and it can be repaired,” she said.

After asking around, Irene found Smile Train partner, IcFEM Dreamland Mission Hospital and made an appointment for Lavender. On surgery day, the route to the hospital was only accessible by walking so she carried Lavender more than 16 miles through muddy and hilly terrain.

After the surgery, Irene was very happy with the results. “The surgery has made the future of my granddaughter bright,” she says. Irene left the hospital, promising to testify about the miracles being performed at IcFEM Dreamland Mission Hospital. Irene said her next task was to track down Lena in hopes of Lavender’s parents reconciling and raising their child together.

Tomos Lavery and his sister Ffion started Sing 2 Smile, an organisation raising money for Smile Train by showcasing young and exciting musicians across the UK.

How did you become involved with Smile Train and why?
My sister Ffion and I wanted to put our passion for singing to good use. As a dentist, I learned about cleft lips and palates whilst studying for my degree and I know that for a small amount of money it was possible to give hope and confidence to these children. That is when we started the idea for Sing 2 Smile concerts.

What motivates you to keep supporting Smile Train?
Being able to put on concerts with friends and fellow musicians has been extremely enjoyable. We’ve had fantastic support from our local communities, family, and friends. One highlight was meeting other fundraisers and supporters of Smile Train at the House of Lords. It’s wonderful to know that together we are making a difference and helping put a smile back on so many children’s faces.

How have the events gone?
We are working hard to achieve our aim of 35 surgeries. On Saturday 13 June, we put on a classical concert in Rye, East Sussex, raising enough to support 23 cleft surgeries. If you missed the concert, you are still able to donate on the website at sing2smile.org! What’s exciting is that this is just the beginning, and there are many more concerts to come, all over the UK.

What makes you smile?
Since I was 8, I’ve loved going to see Chelsea Football Club as a season ticket holder. I never miss a home game if I can help it, enjoying the good days and the bad ones. I also love the passion and pride of being Welsh at the Millennium Stadium for the 6 Nations, singing the national anthem as loud as I possibly can!

Anmol was born to a poor family in a dusty, border village near Amritsar, India. The birth of a girl is a subdued event in most Indian households, but when Anmol was born, it became a moment of shock and disbelief. Anmol’s family had never seen a child with a cleft before. Anmol’s cleft lip and palate seemed like a curse and the family worried about the future of their daughter.

The family feared that they would face ridicule and be ostracized by their neighbors. So they decided to swaddle Anmol in layers and kept her hidden from all eyes. Anmol was never taken out of the house and if any visitors came, they would find her wrapped up fully in a blanket. She was the daughter who lived in darkness.

Then a doctor at the local hospital told the family that Anmol’s clefts were correctible and she could have free surgery at local Smile Train partner, Amandeep Hospital. Surgery for both her cleft lip and cleft palate were complete successes and the family learned to accept and love their only daughter.

Seven years later, Anmol’s cleft lip and palate surgeries have transformed her life. Anmol is now a beautiful seven-year-old with a charming smile. She is a straight-A student, who loves to sing and dance. The infant who was stuck in darkness now radiates light and brightens the day of everyone she meets.

Back Row left to right: Dr. Alvaro Figueroa, Lou and Kate Hall, Jessica Duggan, Suzanne Le Mignot, Howard Witt. Front row left to right: Susan Reyman, Michele Figueroa, Marilyn Witt, Yani and Peter Huften, Linda Gerber. Not pictured: Sondra Rabin, Jason Lersch and Neville Shah.

The first meeting of Smile Train’s Chicago Advisory Council was a resounding success. This newly established group of Chicago-based loyal Smile Train supporters is committed to raising awareness about clefts by lending their skills, insights and knowledge. The fifteen elected members of the council come from diverse professional backgrounds and will host several Smile Train events throughout the year.

The meeting, graciously hosted by Howard and Marilyn Witt, included presentations about Smile Train’s sustainable model as well as information about cleft lip and palate. A highlight of the evening was when the group took a break from their meeting to enjoy the fireworks show visible from Navy Pier.

Smile Train is so thankful for the commitment shown by members of our Chicago Advisory Council. Ellyn Harris, Smile Train Director, Major Gifts said, “We are excited to see the effect the council will have on the Chicago Metro Area and ultimately all of the new smiles the group will help provide for children with unrepaired clefts.”

Amir was worried about the arrival of his fifth child. He would need to find a way to support the family on an income of $36 a month as a struggling rice farmer living in West Java, Indonesia. When his son Sukma arrived with a cleft lip, Amir did not know what to do.

His small rice paddy crop, meant to be sold for income, was quickly exhausted to feed his family so Amir had to sign up for the only job he could find; carrying quarry rock down a mountain.  Amir’s few moments of free time were spent looking for help for Sukma. Amir searched for free cleft surgery for his son and he was devastated when two cleft mission groups denied him without explanation.

When Sukma started school, his father said he would cry every day when he came home. He hated the teasing from his schoolmates and teachers in his school, but he said it was most hurtful when complete strangers would taunt him. Because of his frustration and the family’s financial situation, Sukma dropped out of primary school.
Sukma went to work to help out the family and he said for 17 years he lived in shame because of his unrepaired cleft lip. After 17 long years of waiting, Sukma heard about local Smile Train partner Obor Berkat hospital and the year-round free cleft surgeries they provide.

On his surgery day Sukma said that he was afraid, but excited. “My unrepaired cleft lip forced me to drop out of school and live my entire life in shame, when only 30 kilometers away free Smile Train surgery was waiting. It would have changed everything,” he said.

After his surgery Sukma reports that his father could not believe the change in him, “He keeps calling me handsome.” Looking toward the future, Sukma is happy to begin his new life that was 17 long years in the making.

Pamela Sheeran, Vice President and Regional Director, Latin America talks about what the Power Of A Smile means to her.

What inspired you to work at Smile Train?
Before I started working for Smile Train, I spent a significant amount of time working in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Haiti. I noticed that in spite of the numerous dedicated international health NGOs and aid agencies working in these countries, there were still many families in need of basic health services.
During that time, I also met many amazing local professionals eager to be a part of their communities’ solutions. With training and resources, they would make sure the need in their respective neighborhoods’, cities’ and countries’ needs would be met.
So when I heard about Smile Train’s unique model of empowering local professionals so they can provide top quality, free cleft care to families in their local communities, I knew I had to get aboard the train.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the Power Of A Smile differently?
Now I understand that a smile represents the fact that so many people have come together, all in the name of a child in need of a simple, yet life-changing surgery. From the donor in his/her home, to the staffer in the Smile Train NY office, to the local hospital and team in the developing world, and to the rural community where the patient lives, so many people from all corners of the world all seamlessly come together to create a smile for a child in need. When I see a smile, now I see all of the generous people involved with making sure it can happen.

What has the Power Of A Smile done for you in your life?
It has taught me enjoy my smile. It is powerful, so use it wisely and often. A smile is so powerful that I’ve decided to dedicate my life to helping others find theirs.

Tuhaise was born in a remote village in Kibale, Uganda. As soon as his mother and father saw his cleft lip, they left the village and abandoned him. When his Aunt Maimuna heard this horrible news, she went to see her nephew. “I immediately connected to Tuhaise and decided to take him in; I had little money and many children to take care of, but Tuhaise needed a mother,” she recalled.

Maimuna is a subsistence farmer on a small piece of land. She knew that cleft surgery was available at the regional hospital, but thought she would never be able to afford it. Years went by and the young boy remained at home while his cousins attended school. Maimuna said, “It was heartbreaking to see little Tuhaise suffering from rejection in the village, my children would ask me to take him to the tailor shop to have his lip ‘sewed’ so that he could look normal.”

Fortunately, Smile Train partner CoRSU hospital was running a community mobilization campaign near their village to sensitize people about accepting disabilities. Maimuna met with the hospital staff; she knew it could be her only chance to have Tuhaise medically attended to. With a few clothes in her bag, she left home and headed to CoRSU.

With funding from Smile Train, Tuhaise received his new smile and Maimuna could not stop singing words of praise to the people who made her nephew’s new smile possible. She recently reported that, “Tuhaise is no longer an object of ridicule in the village, he will go to school with my other children very soon.”

Ednah Wambani was shocked when she saw her infant son’s cleft lip, especially since she had given birth to four healthy children previously. She had seen other children with unrepaired clefts, but couldn’t imagine that one of her children would be born with a cleft. During the first few months, Ednah said that her neighbors in Kamasielo, Kenya would walk by the house and laugh at her baby. She was so upset that she never let David out of the house.

A year later, Ednah took David to a local clinic for a check-up. The clinic staff told Ednah that David’s cleft lip was a solvable problem and that there was a Smile Train partner hospital only four miles away. She knew she would never be able to afford David’s cleft surgery on her grocery clerk salary, but after a short evaluation she was overcome with joy to find that David was eligible for a Smile Train sponsored free cleft surgery.

When surgery day arrived, Ednah carried David on her back for the four mile trip because she did not have money for transportation. The moment David emerged from the operating theater she said that it all was worth it because now her baby would not have to live in shame.

On a recent follow-up visit to the Smile Train partner hospital, Ednah reported, “The village has stopped laughing at us, everyone was delighted to see how healthy David looks – now he will be included in our village society.”

Peter Ojok was born with a bilateral cleft lip in Kabar, Uganda. The name ‘Ojok’ in Uganda literally translates to ‘cursed by god’. Peter’s father passed away when he was young, and his mother Sophia was left to raise Peter and his four siblings alone.

When Peter became old enough to attend school, he was denied entry because of the village’s social stigma toward clefts. Sophia recalls that people always treated the family differently after Peter was born, “they said he was a sign of our family’s bad luck.”

After years of saving her money, Sophia found a nearby medical facility that would operate on Peter’s cleft lip. This non-Smile Train affiliated hospital completed the cleft surgery, but it was unsuccessful. Sophia did not know what to do, she didn’t have enough money for another surgery.

Peter after his Smile Train surgery

Fortunately, Smile Train partner hospital CoRSU held a community outreach campaign in Gulu District, Uganda and outreach workers soon referred Peter to CoRSU for his free cleft repair surgery. In March 2015, Smile Train partner surgeon Dr. George Galiwango completed a stunning cleft repair that left Peter’s mother in disbelief.

14-year-old Peter also benefits from free dental care at the newly established dental clinic at CoRSU. Now that the surgeries are complete he plans to fulfill his greatest desire of attending school alongside of his siblings.

Monica was born with a cleft lip and palate in Snohomish, Washington. As an infant she had to stay in the hospital for months because of her many medical complications. Since then she has had five surgeries pertaining to her cleft, but with strength and determination, Monica made it through it all and is now a healthy student at Glacier Peak High School.

Monica joined her school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) with the idea to start a fundraiser for less fortunate children with clefts and Smile Train. In the fundraiser’s first year Monica was able to raise enough for money one surgery.

This year, now as Vice President of Community Service for FBLA, Monica had the opportunity to give a presentation in her school’s auditorium about Smile Train and her own personal story. In her speech Monica says, “…a smile is a symbol of peace, happiness, and love.”

“Over my lifetime I have changed from a person who stood on the sidelines and watched life move around me…to a person who took control of my own destiny.  I can say that I am a lot better for it. I was blessed with the opportunity when I received my lifesaving surgery and have had family, friends, and mentors who have supported me throughout my entire life. It is an honor to be able to come to this phenomenal school and stand up on this stage in front of you all today. Unfortunately, those blessings aren’t universal. There are children who get turned away from ever going to school and whose families abandon them.”

Watch Monica’s full presentation here.

This year her school raised enough money for more than six children to get new smiles. Monica says, “Over these past two years, it has been an honor to be able to share Smile Train’s mission and to be able to support an amazing organization that not only gives the gift of a smile, but a gift of hope.”

Sara Rezk, from Fairfax VA is a mother of two, and her youngest, Seleem, was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Here’s what the Power Of A Smile means to her. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a child with cleft what would it be?

CELEBRATE WHO YOU ARE! You are amazing children who will have to go through some additional hardships in life. The cleft you were born with does not define who you can or cannot be. Find your passion and run with it.

If you could give one piece of advice to another parent whose child was born with cleft what would it be?

With all the madness and emotions that come with a cleft diagnosis, hang in there. One day you will look back and miss your little one’s wide smile so much! This whole journey will not only empower you as parents, it will have a lasting impact on the family as a whole.

What makes you smile?

Seeing my child being so brave. Nothing gets in his way! At just 2, he is already inspiring so many people around him.

What did your child being born with a cleft teach you about life?

That we really shouldn’t just see people at face value. This is a very diverse world and we need to embrace everyone around us, whether a different culture, appearance, life style, beliefs or religion.

What does the “Power of a Smile” mean to you/ why do you think it’s so important?

Power of a Smile means hope and connection!

What has the “Power of a Smile” done for you in your life?

It has broken barriers and given me the chance to get to know so many amazing people.

One man who understands how powerful the gift of a smile can be is longtime Smile Train supporter and friend, Mr. Horace Whitmore. At 93 years young, Mr. Whitmore lives a quiet and simple life in California. He serves as a Deacon at his church and is an active member in his community. With roots in the South, he worked in the metals trade for many happy years.

His beautiful wife of 61 years, Catherine, passed in 2008. When he saw an advertisement about Smile Train he said, “To go through life without hope or help would be devastating for these kids. I have no children of my own, so it’s a way for me to help.”

With Mr. Whitmore’s 94th birthday quickly approaching he decided that this year he wouldn’t be the one receiving the gifts. Instead, he selflessly committed to helping 400 children with clefts get the best presents they could ever wish to receive: brand new smiles. In his own words, this was his way of “adopting 400 children!”

On February 11, 2015 Mr. Whitmore turned 94. To help celebrate his special day, our Smile Train partners around the world held birthday parties in his honor. Our patients, and their families, who directly benefit from Mr. Whitmore’s generosity were in attendance to eat cake, laugh, and best of all – smile.

I am often humbled, but never surprised, by the generosity of our supporters. It is because of this generosity that we are able to help so many children with unrepaired clefts receive the free surgery and related treatment they so desperately need.

In his own words, Mr. Horace Whitmore explains his very personal reasons why giving to Smile Train is so important to him:

“This world we live in is fleeting slowly surely passing away and one day all who have received the gift of life here on this earth will be changed into a new everlasting life —For God is the author and beginning of giving (John 3:16) . I believe that in some small way my giving what God has given me all belongs to him in the first place. I believe giving to Smile Train to help needy children change their lives from misery, heart aches and shame, to smile with joy and a thankful heart would please God and bring glory to his name. That would be worth more than all the riches that this world holds and that is my joy and hope.”

I hope that Mr. Whitmore’s story and his 94 years of smiles inspires you as much as it inspires all of us here at Smile Train.

Happy birthday Mr. Whitmore – thank you for helping us change the world one smile at a time!

Susannah Schaefer,
CEO, Smile Train

Bahati was passed to his grandmother, Justina. She said that Bahati struggled as a child because she could only feed him light porridge through a bottle. For three years Bahati lived in the same village as his parents, but they didn’t want to have anything to do with him. The couple even had a daughter they cared for in their own home.

When Bahati turned three-years-old, Justina took him to a local doctor to see if he could repair his cleft.  The doctor told Justina that Bahati’s cleft could be repaired and made arrangements for her to get to Smile Train partner hospital CCBRT.

When they arrived, Bahati was had a coughing fit and an asthma attack. Justina wouldn’t let it deter her from getting her grandson the help he needed, so they stayed at the hospital for two weeks until he was healthy enough for surgery.

After successful surgery, Justina said she was excited to go back to her village and show everyone how great Bahati looked. Justina said, “When we see my son and daughter-in-law at our local well, they will probably want to take him back; but I’ve spent the last three years raising Bahati and he is my son.”

]]> https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/accepting-bahati/feed/ 0 smiletrainorg Bahati 1 Bahati 2 Bahati 3 https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/story-of-mursleen-and-muntaha/ https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/story-of-mursleen-and-muntaha/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2015 13:16:53 +0000 http://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/?p=3175 Continue reading Story of Mursleen and Muntaha]]>

Shahid, was living hand-to-mouth as a part-time electrician. Shahid married Shezana and the couple was blessed with two sons. Despite being poor, the family was happy that their sons would have the opportunity to grow up and become successful.

One year later, Shezana gave birth to Mursleen, a baby girl born with a cleft lip and palate. Both parents were despondent because they had never seen a child with a cleft before. Their neighbors and relatives started teasing them, saying that their baby girl was the punishment for their sin of pride.

Mursleen’s parents worried: Was this defect treatable? Who will marry her? How will she spend her life? Will she die?

Two years later, Shezana gave birth to another baby girl, Muntaha, who was also born with a cleft lip and palate. Shezana went into severe depression and became ill, most of the time she cried and cursed her luck.

One day Mursleen became very sick and her father took her to the local doctor in the village. When the doctor saw Mursleen’s face, he told him about free cleft surgery at a Smile Train partner hospital. When Mursleen felt better, the family traveled to Smile Train’s local partner hospital in Gujrat, Pakistan with both girls.

The family was very happy with the professional staff and were amazed that all the treatment was free. Both the girls had surgery on the same day, and both surgeries were a success.

Shahid said it was like a dream come true and Shezana was very thankful.  She said that Smile Train came in to their lives at their lowest point and now they are able to go home with a feeling of happiness that can’t be expressed in words.

Muntaha before

Muntaha after

Mursleen before

Mursleen after

]]> https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/story-of-mursleen-and-muntaha/feed/ 1 smiletrainorg Mursleen and Muntaha Muntaha before Muntaha after Mursaleen before edited Mursleen after https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/jennifer-a-smile-45-years-in-the-making/ https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/jennifer-a-smile-45-years-in-the-making/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:03:32 +0000 http://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/?p=3184 Continue reading Jennifer: A Smile 45 Years in the Making]]>

It is true what they say; it’s never too late to start a new life. 45-year-old Jennifer says she lived a life of hardship and sadness until good fortune led her to Smile Train partner CoRSU Hospital in Katakwi, Uganda. It was a new smile a lifetime in the making.

Jennifer was the youngest of seven children and the only sibling born with a cleft lip and palate. Jennifer recalls her father trying to protect her from bullies growing up, but he did not always succeed, so she spent most of her time isolated at home. To make things worse, the family’s livestock was stolen and they were left destitute.

As much as her father wanted to provide his youngest daughter with a smile, he did not have enough money to take her to the hospital when she was young.  Jennifer had been referred to the regional hospital to repair her lip, but they could not afford the transportation to get there.

When Jennifer reached her 45th birthday, she was unmarried with no children. Her father had discouraged Jennifer from getting married because he felt she would be mistreated. All of her siblings were married and had moved away while Jennifer still lived at home. After Jennifer’s parents passed away, she was left to live all alone in their small house.

Her life changed the day a CoRSU representative found Jennifer and brought her to CoRSU hospital for her free Smile Train cleft surgery. Five months after her surgery, Jennifer’s self-esteem has improved greatly.  For those who saw her before surgery, it is difficult for them to believe she is the same woman.  Now she can eat well, is no longer ridiculed, and says she is ready to make the most of the second half of her life.

Goizom Danza Maleguidjeo’s name translates to “disappeared from the face of the Earth” in her native language in Cameroon. Unfortunately for Goizom, this is not far off from how she spent her childhood. She could not attend school or play with other children her age because of the fear from local parents in her village that she would bewitch their children.

It is a tradition in Goizom’s Mafa tribe for families to send their first daughter into marriage when they turn 16, but this was not the case for Goizom. At age 18, she still lived at home with no suitor, or any friends to talk to. The men in her village believed that since Goizom was born with a cleft, all of her future children would have clefts as well.

Goizom’s life changed one day when a Smile Train community worker came to her village. When the community worker announced that Smile Train helps provide free surgery for children with clefts, Goizom couldn’t believe the news. She knew her parents could not afford the financial cost of a surgery to fix her cleft and she had given up on her dream of having her cleft repaired a long time ago.

When Goizom arrived at Smile Train’s local partner, Maroua Regional hospital, she was surprised to see so many people who had similar cleft conditions as her own. She watched as patients would go in and out of surgery and was amazed by the great new smiles on their faces. When her turn finally arrived, she was ready. 18 long years of waiting for a new smile were finally over.

Today Goizom has returned to her village a completely changed person, proud of herself and full of self-confidence. No longer “disappeared from the face of the Earth,” she is looking forward to her bright future that is now full of endless possibilities.

On April 24, 2015 Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Columbia South Carolina held its 9th Mini-Marathon for Smile Train. Physical Education teacher and real-world Smile Train super hero Thomas Cronin, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, hosts the event every year. He says that he feels so fortunate that he was able to receive surgery when he was a child, and his hope is that every child born with a cleft is able to have the same opportunities for a healthy and productive life that he was given.

On the day of the event each grade level (Kindergarten through Fifth grade) runs and walks for 30 minutes on the school’s outdoor track. This year, the event raised a total of $13,090 for Smile Train. This is enough to provide surgery for 52 children with cleft lips and palates.

Smile Train’s Mini Marathon has become a tradition at Pleasant Hill Elementary School. This year, Smile Train’s own Director, Program Development, Shannon Lambert, got to attend the event, walk around the track with some students, and answer student questions. She said some of the most common questions were “How many surgeries did Smile Train help provide last year?” and “How long does it take to complete a surgery?” One student, a young boy, shared a story with Shannon about his cousin that lives in Guadalajara, Mexico who was born with a cleft. His cousin didn’t have transportation to get to a treatment facility, so the little boy’s family in South Carolina drove to Mexico to bring the boy to the hospital for surgery.

Overall, Pleasant Hill Elementary School’s Smile Train Mini Marathon gives the students a chance to learn more about a meaningful cause, and how something as simple as a smile can change a life, all while getting fit at the same time.

Grainne McElhone, a former cleft patient, donated her 30^th birthday to Smile Train. We recently had the chance to ask her some questions.

How did you become involved with Smile Train and why? 

A few years ago I spoke to a doctor who happened to be a Smile Train supporter. Up until that point, I didn’t know much about Smile Train so I did some research and decided I wanted to help This was when I came up with the idea of a sponsored birthday… my 30th was coming up and I thought it would be the best way to celebrate it!

What motivates you to keep supporting Smile Train? 

Following my research into the charity, it made me appreciate how lucky and fortunate I was to receive the care that I did. It made me realise that many children and adults in developing countries may not get the opportunity to have their clefts repaired without the support of Smile Train.

How did you support Smile Train?

To celebrate my 30^th birthday this year I held a coffee morning in lieu of gifts from friends and family. I asked them for a donation to Smile Train, in which I was able to raise over £1,900, an amount I was overwhelmed with and could not have reached without a lot of help from my family and friends.

What makes you Smile? 

Friends and family always make me smile and laugh, going for cocktails, new clothes and random acts of kindness. Receiving and giving always wins a smile!

Why do you give to Smile Train?

To give someone else the smile that I was lucky enough to get.

Monesta is six months old and she was born with cleft lip. She traveled with her mother, Pili, a distance of 200km by bus to arrive at local Smile Train partner hospital CCBRT.

Monesta is the 5th child of Pili, a 29 years old Tanzanian woman from a farming family. When Pili gave birth to Monesta at their home, she was surprised when she saw her newborn’s cleft lip. Pili had seen other children living with unrepaired clefts so she was unaware that surgery to repair her daughter’s cleft was even an option.

When Monesta was four months old, Pili took her to a local dispensary and the medic there told her about Smile Train and how her daughter’s cleft could be repaired at no cost to her.

Pili and Monesta arrived at CCBRT on March 14. They spent five days in the hospital and Smile Train’s local partner surgeon, Dr Wayi, performed Monesta’s cleft repair surgery. Pili was so happy with the results and there was very little swelling. You can now see just how much Monesta loves her new smile as she beams brightly in every photo taken of her since her surgery.

No matter how you look at it, an athlete competing in a triathlon is competing for their own personal satisfaction and that’s a great thing, but race after race I started feeling like I wanted to cross the finish line for more than myself or a new “PR”. That’s when I found Smile Train. Knowing that I could use my triathlon races and connections in NASCAR to help change a child’s life was the perfect way for my wife Melissa and myself to do this.

Through my coaching business LIMITLESS MULTISPORT TRAINING I have been able to donate a percentage of my earnings toward our Smile Train goal which is awesome because it’s a way my athletes can help raise money and train! Another amazing tool I have been able to use has been offering lug nuts from our pit stops to race fans for a donation. We have thousands of fans who tour pit road prior to the race start and they are able to come by our pit stall and hang out and grab an authentic lug nut from the prior week’s race. In the past we used to literally leave these used lug nuts on the ground or they would get thrown in the trash but now they are being turned into smiles!

I know sometimes it can be financially difficult for people to donate money but if you can incorporate it into a purchase they are already planning on making you can hit a home run every time! I want to thank Michael Waltrip Racing and NASCAR for the opportunity to make these children have a better quality of life. See you at the track!

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“Myself Dr. Vaijayanti was a mother of cleft palate baby. But now she is no more a cleft palate baby, all thanks to Dr. Nitin Mokal and his team, the Smile Train foundation and the kind aid of your institution. Dr. Nitin Mokal is such a simple and humble human being, yet so efficient, dedicated and loving towards his patients. I really appreciate the kind work is has been doing to eradicate cleft palate, because I cannot put it in words how it feels to be a mother of cleft lip or cleft palate baby, but his magic hands does the miracle. May God bless him.

I really want to thank all the staff who extended such wonderful care to my baby. My 3 day stay with my baby going through the surgery became easier because of all the help received from the staff nurses and Maushi’s. Specially Sister Rihana for her kind and loving gratitude and special attention towards my baby. The Doctor RMO’s are very kind and loving.

I really cannot thank enough, just want to say God bless you all. Big thank you and lots of love from my baby Niyati”
– Dr. Vaijayanti

]]> https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/mothers-day-letter-of-thanks/feed/ 1 smiletrainorg JPEG JW Mother-and-Child-1 Mother-and-Child-2 https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/mamta-carrol-power-of-a-smile/ https://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/mamta-carrol-power-of-a-smile/#respond Thu, 23 Apr 2015 13:38:12 +0000 http://smiletrainorg.wordpress.com/?p=3092 Continue reading Mamta Carrol Power Of A Smile]]>

Mamta Carrol, Regional Director of South Asia Programs talks about what the Power Of A Smile means to her. 

What first inspired you to work with / support Smile Train?

The transformational nature of what Smile Train does, the scale, intensity and range of its work and the enduring impact it makes in individual lives, the lives of entire families and the attitudes of communities, is unmatched. In the developing world societal prejudices driven by superstitions and entrenched attitudes prevent children with clefts and their families from leading normal lives. My work at Smile Train allows me to make a very tangible and real impact on ground.

How has your involvement with Smile Train made you look at the Power Of A Smile differently?

A smile is instinctive, natural and effortless for almost everyone. Each smile reminds me of the many who have trouble smiling, the magnitude of what we have accomplished and have yet to accomplish. The most fulfilling smile is the smile of our patients after surgery. It radiates the possibilities that our work opens up for these children.

What keeps you involved in Smile Train?

The sheer significance and impact of what Smile Train does makes me feel blessed in contributing – this is a life-changing gift for entire families. It has imbued me with a passion to transform lives. It has gone beyond the definition of a job to become my mission. An article of faith with a higher and more enduring goal in life. Far more enriching than a conventional corporate career and far more satisfying.

Sichuan Province, China – The arrival of a new baby typically brings a lot of happiness to a family, but when little Jiaxin was born with a cleft lip and palate the Yangs knew they wouldn’t be able to afford surgery for their child. To get Jiaxin the help she needed the family moved to Chengdu in hopes that the city would have better medical facilities.

To survive in their new city, Jiaxin’s father worked doing manual labor at a construction site, and her grandmother and grandfather worked long hours every day to make extra money for the family. All of the hard work was worth it when the Yangs found out that Smile Train’s local partner hospital, West China College of Stomatology Sichuan University, would be able to give Jiaxin the help she needed.

Jiaxin, with the help of Smile Train, began her journey to a new smile with free cleft lip surgery. Since her surgery, Jiaxin’s family said they now have a new sense of hope and a more positive attitude in their own lives.

Today, 2-year-old Jiaxin is a lovely and lively girl who loves to laugh and talk.

In March 2015, Jiaxin met Smile Train’s CEO, Susannah Schaefer, along with Shi Bing, Vice President of West China Stomatology Hospital of Sichuan University, and Dr. Shell Xue, Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Smile Train North Asia. Susannah was in China supporting the local nurses at a special training conference. Susannah’s advice to little Jiaxin was to continue to have the confidence to overcome difficulties and to embrace her new life.

Jiaxin’s mother is very grateful to Smile Train for giving Jiaxin the ability to be like the other children, and a second chance at life. She said that Smile Train not only gave them financial help, but also brought hope to them and an opportunity for a brighter future.

I took care of my parents when they were 94 years old. While my mother’s mind wasn’t always clear, her beautiful heart continued to feel. She saw a magazine ad for Smile Train with pictures of children before their clefts were repaired. She managed to tell me she wanted to get a job so she could afford to help the cleft children. With tears in her eyes, she pointed to the picture of the most severely affected little boy, “Him…I have to help him!” she said.

My beautiful mom and dad have passed away now, but every Christmas I honor her request. In my adult children’s Christmas stockings, I place a note that $250 has been donated in their Grandma and Grandpa’s memory to help a child. It is our special Christmas tradition.

There is peace and warmth in a smile. To me the Power Of A Smile is a universal language that instantly connects one heart to another. God bless everyone at Smile Train for the amazing work that they do.  And for helping me to fulfill my mother’s longing to help.

Twin brothers Ram Prasad and Ram Pranesh are outstanding “A” students with a shared love for painting and sports. If you look at the picture from their fifth birthday (above), you would never know that the twins had very difficult beginnings and that without help they would be living very different lives.

Their mother and father worked as agricultural laborers in Tamil Nadu, India, and were worried about adequately providing for two more boys. The couple worked very hard but, when both Prasad and Pranesh were born with bilateral cleft lips and palates, the couple knew they couldn’t afford the surgery their boys needed.

Fortunately, it did not take long before their mother, Jayanthi found out about Smile Train. The family went to a screening at their local partner hospital and it was confirmed the boys were both eligible for free cleft lip and palate surgeries. Jayanthi was overjoyed to find out that after their surgeries, the boys would also receive free speech therapy at Sri Ramachandra Hospital (SRMC). Jayanthi was excited the boys would never be taunted for the way they spoke.

Jayanthi said, “The twins are thriving today because of Smile Train and SRMC, without your help the boys would be nowhere.”

Jessica Gutierrez (above, center) tells us about her visit to see local Smile Train medical partners in Buenos Aires, Argentina and a young mother who made a strong impression on her.

Buenos Aires, Argentina – I am an Associate, Direct Marketing at Smile Train and every day I see pictures of the wonderful new smiles of our patients. I am always in awe of the great work our partner surgeons and medical staff do every day of the year. Recently, I was given the opportunity to visit some of Smile Train’s local in-country partners in Argentina to see first-hand the impact one simple surgery has on not only a child, but their whole family. When I arrived at Asociación PIEL, I noticed a woman looking very nervous staring at her baby. I went over and the anxious mother, Giuliana, introduced herself and her baby, Juan Ignacio. He was a vivacious and happy little boy, and he chuckled every time I waved at him. Giuliana told me how scared and shocked she was when she first realized her child had been born with a cleft. She had never seen anyone with a cleft before and didn’t know what to do. As soon as she heard about Asociación PIEL she knew she had to make the trip to have her son treated.

Giuliana lives almost two hours from Buenos Aires, she traveled with her mother-in-law on a bus to our partner surgeon, Dr. Bennun, to treat Juan Ignacio. I happened to meet her the day before Juan Ignacio’s surgery, which helped me understand why she seemed extra nervous. Giuliana felt better when we spoke to another mother whose son had been successfully treated by Dr. Bennun and was visiting for follow-up care. The following day, I talked to Giuliana right before Juan Ignacio’s surgery. She was nervous but also anxious to see her son after the surgery. She had heard other parents say that they didn’t even recognize their child after surgery and she couldn’t wait to see his new smile!

I left the hospital that day knowing that not only Juan Ignacio’s life, but also Giuliana’s was about to change. She now has the confidence that Juan Ignacio will grow and develop just like any other child and will have the opportunity to live a full life. The experience of meeting families like Juan Ignacio’s showed me just how powerful the work Smile Train and our partners are doing. I recently sent his mother some of the pictures I took while I was in Buenos Aires and I can’t wait to hear about how Juan Ignacio is doing – smiling a lot I bet!

Joyce was from a large family, including an uncle with a cleft lip. “My uncle had a cleft lip and was called an “ogre” by people in the village. When we walked down the streets kids used to scatter whenever they saw him, they all had their harrowing theories on why he had a cleft lip,” Joyce recalls. Joyce tried as best as she could to get her son’s cleft lip fixed. But her hopes dwindled as time went on. She couldn’t afford paying for a reparative surgery for her son and she thought Lackson was in store for the same future as her uncle.

When she learned of Smile Train and the free surgeries local Smile Train surgeons help provide, she finally found her answer. She embarked on a four hour long journey from her town in Solwezi to Ndola. Joyce was filled with uncertainty the entire trip, wondering if her son would receive the free surgery. When Joyce and Lackson arrived in Ndola little Lackson was screened and cleared for surgery.

It frightened Joyce to send her baby into surgery, but when he emerged from the operating room less than an hour later, she knew she’d made the right decision. Lackson will never have to suffer the way her uncle did.

“You are my heroes” she says, “Smile Train gave my son a bright future.”

Many hospitals in Yemen, like other developing countries, can’t afford the rising costs of lab tests, medicines, and room rent. Some hospitals can’t afford to pay their surgeons and anesthesiologists. To keep up with demand, patients and their families can be discharged after a few hours. This can be problematic and even dangerous for patients who have traveled a long way from home and now have to desperately look for shelter in an expensive city.

However; children with unrepaired clefts in Yemen have hope. Thanks in part to the support from a generous local donor, a Smile Logistics Centre in Hadda, Sana was launched. Now even patients from the most remote regions of the country are able to travel to the Sana Centre. In the first four days of opening Smile Train’s local partner surgeon was able to help twenty-nine children.

The gracious donor has even gone a step further by helping to sponsor surgeries in the remote Indian Ocean island of Socotra. Socotra Island is one of the most remote places in the entire world. Health care on the island is extremely scarce, and therefore Socotra Hospital has become essential for the people living there.

The goals for the Smile Logistics Centre are to target the poorer and more distant regions of the country and to help at least one thousand cleft children receive new smiles. Smile Train ads play on the radio and pamphlets with the Centre’s information have been helping to spread awareness across the country.