![Makiba holding a picture of herself before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-04/makiba-50.jpg?itok=ynwjkZ1H)
History Did Not Repeat Itself with Makiba
In the shadow of unthinkable tragedy, Smile Train helped turn sorrow into hope
![Dr Nina with child](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-03/nina-50.jpg?itok=YGTEJvo9)
Dr Nina Capo-Chichi: “Clefts Go Deeper Than What You See”
Our Program Director for West Africa on the particular impact of clefts on women and girls
Susanna Finds Her Voice
Denied care as a child, she had to relearn to speak at age 20
![Jian holding a picture of herself as a baby, before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-01/jian-50.jpg?itok=9rSqwLSn)
Behind the Smiles: Dr Preciosa Bento
Our Program Assistant for Southern Africa reflects on what working at Smile Train is really about
![Yohanes and his mother smiling and holding a picture of him before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2023-01/yohanes-50.jpg?itok=efOKM9gV)
Never Sleep on Yohanes
More proof that nothing is stronger than a mother’s love
![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
A Major Change in Children's Surgery
An interview with Smile Train partner Dr Getaw on how Smile Train and Lifebox are making surgery safer for children with clefts
![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