![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.
![Benjamin looks up to the sky](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/benjamin-k-thinks-outside-after-free-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-kenya.jpg?itok=j3pLG0zF)
Benjamin’s Smile Has Overcome The Unimaginable
And he's only four years old.
![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
![Vicente with his mom](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/vicente-with-mother-in-trees-after-smile-train-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-chile-50.jpg?itok=p4p3Ys6X)
Vicente Is Stronger Than Fear
A mother's love + Smile Train and GSK = one confident young man
![Barbara with her family](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/barbara-with-mother-sister-and-bunny-after-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-mexico-50.jpg?itok=TI_nUzY8)
What Bárbara Taught Her Mother
A story of love, destiny, and the power of a smile.
![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.
![Louise Pape](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-11/louis-pape-header.jpg?itok=_iDAiv2S)
![Violet with her mom](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/violet-with-mom.jpg?itok=KIBO82bf)
![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.
![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.