![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
![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
![Akuya smiling while holding a picture of herself before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-12/akuya-50_0.jpg?itok=aBIVMluM)
“She Is Our Pride and What Gave Us Strength”
How a family from rural Togo overcame superstition and fear to get their daughter the care she needed
![Dr Gergorie Akakpo-Numado](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-10/gregorie-akakpo-numado-headshot-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-togo-chu-smile-train.jpg?itok=4r6TMKhI)
Dr Grégoire Akakpo-Numado: Smile Train’s Model is Life or Death for My Patients
![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
![Comrade Olubunmi Lawal-Aiyedun](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-12/oral-health-training-group%20%284%29.png?itok=8hl26D85)
![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.