Behind the Smiles: Dr Preciosa Bento
Our Program Assistant for Southern Africa reflects on what working at Smile Train is really about
![Elifeleth with family](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-08/elifeleth-with-family_0.jpg?itok=eJtOMV13)
Elifeleth’s Parents Always Stayed Strong for Him
Elifeleth was born a healthy baby. With Smile Train’s help, his family watched him grow into a strong and confident child.
![Marciel with Ernie, Jr. and Ermalen before their cleft surgeries](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-10/pacatang-free-cleft-surgery-philippines-50_0.jpg?itok=oKYWu80j)
Maricel: Both My Daughters Have Clefts and I Consider Myself the Luckiest Mum on Earth
![Immaculata before surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-08/immaculata-before-surgery-social-media-header_0.jpg?itok=ruB-mpPm)
Immaculata: How a Mother’s Faith Brought Hope and New Beginnings
A story of maternal love and faith bringing a family light out of darkness
![Zuleika getting water outside](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-06/zuleika-washing-hands-header-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-argentina-smile-train.jpg?itok=T8SAdi9G)
The Walk to Treatment is Long, but Zuleika’s Parents Persisted
![Marco smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-03/marco-smiles-after-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-panama.jpg?itok=--LnGxPE)
Miraculous Marco
![Opeyemi riding on his mother's back](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-02/opeyemi-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-smile-train-nigeria-50.jpg?itok=QliTmTFc)
Opeyemi: Families, Like Smiles, Come in Many Forms
His father abandoned the family when he was born with a cleft. His mother never stopped trying to make him smile
![Julia smiling in front of some plants](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-01/julia-capilli-plants-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-philippines-smile-train.jpg?itok=DRITBBrW)
Julia: A Rare and Beautiful Flower
How Smile Train helped a budding artist bloom through the unimaginable
![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.”
![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
![Professor Ogunlewe](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/professor-ogunlewe-smile-train-partner.jpg?itok=elbnDHzs)
The Pioneer Professor: Olugbemiga Ogunlewe
Nigeria's first female oral surgeon has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children with clefts across the country. She found a worthy partner in Smile Train.