![Cleft Con logo](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-12/cleft-con-smile-train-title-50.jpg?itok=WZ7TieQK)
At Cleft Con 2021, Vulnerability is Strength
“It's amazing what your cleft journey will do to your life when you embrace it.”
Vivian Exemplifies Beauty Inside and Out
When Vivian started school, the kids laughed at her so much she didn't want to live. Then she met someone who told her she should become a model.
![Troy Reinhart wears a crown next to a pageant winner at Smile Train's old offices](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-12/troy-reinhart-miss-new-jersey-50.jpg?itok=FnoLn9xL)
Troy Reinhart: 20 Years Of Smiles
Our longest-tenured employee reflects on two decades of making smiles
![Damaris holds a photo of herself before surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/damaris-holding-photo-before-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-surgery-kenya.jpg?itok=DymOCYlg)
Determined Damaris
Even when the whole world seemed against her, Damaris persisted. And won.
![auner smiles](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/auner-smiling-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-guatemala.jpg?itok=r2UsJHvB)
![Auner and kids](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/auner-in-row-of-kids.jpg?itok=Ji8RvtNs)
![livingstone in class holding before image](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-03/livingstone-with-friends-after-cleft-lip-cleft-palate-treatment.jpg?itok=FaFXg86e)
Livingstone Clings to Life
Cleft surgery was only one piece of Livingstone's journey from malnourished baby to star of his village.
![Miran sits on the ground](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-03/mirian-sits-in-dress.jpg?itok=pr3JQvYq)
A Warrior at Heart
At one month old, Mirian weighed just four pounds. Five months later, with the support of our local partners, she had transformed into a happy, chubby baby.
![Kamse before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/kamse-before-cleft-surgery.jpg?itok=gx6GwXd2)
A Student Of Resiliency
Kamse was excited for his first day of school, but, when the day finally came, he was taunted all day long. Kamse ran home and begged his grandfather never to make him go back.
![Elsie held by mom](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/elsie-with-mom.jpg?itok=RaXYziQV)