With Every Breath, Esvin Defies the Odds
His family thought a child like him could never make it. Then they encountered Smile Train
![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
![Kristiyana smelling a rose](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-08/kristiyana-smelling-rose-social-media-header_0.jpg?itok=K4H5Rleo)
Kristiyana: How a Two-Hour Surgery Changed a Little Girl’s Life
For Kristiyana’s family, Smile Train opened new opportunities for happier lives
![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
![Yordanka with her son Dani](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2022-05/yordanka-and-dani-free-cleft-lip-palate-surgery-bulgaria-smile-train-50.jpg?itok=FnPz7RO8)
This Cleft Mum and Speech Therapist Knows All That a Smile Can Mean
![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
![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)
![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.
![Auner and kids](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-05/auner-in-row-of-kids.jpg?itok=Ji8RvtNs)
![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.