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.
![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.
![Cristian with dog](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/cristiang-w-dog.jpg?itok=zBHvC1e8)
Healing Heartbreak with a Smile (Dogs Help, Too)
Angelica was 15 years old, single, and had just given birth to a baby with a cleft. All she knew about clefts was how she had seen people with them harassed without mercy. But she promised to never give up on the little life before her.
![Nkunda before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/nkunda-before-cleft-surgery-super_0.jpg?itok=jbShDbx1)
A Walk to Freedom
Nkunda had to hide in the bushes on his journey to school every day. Something needed to be done.
![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)
![Jessica holds a baby](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/jessica-holding-baby.jpg?itok=QyjPMjYJ)
Jessica’s Wondrous Journey to Kenya
The following is Smile Train Accountant Jessica Lelling’s first-hand account of her recent journey, visiting Smile Train partners and patients in Kenya.