Smile Train

Meet Sister Shoba Lonappan! When she was very young, her parents made the unthinkable decision to place her in an orphanage. They could not afford to send her to school, and knew that entering an orphanage would guarantee her an education. Shoba held her memories of her parents in her heart as she grew up without them. She went on to graduate high school and soon after enrolled in nursing school, driven to comfort others in their times of need. Once certified, Shoba got placed on the cleft ward at Smile Train partner Jubilee Mission Medical College Hospital. She had little experience with clefts, but knew at once that she had found her home. “I saw the sorrow of the mothers of these children, so I developed a mindset to partake in their sorrow,” she explained. “Helping them find treatment came automatically to me.” Stay tuned for part 2 of Sister Shoba’s amazing story!

Meet Joshua from Zambia! Joshua lives in a small village of hand-built cinderblock rooms just outside downtown Lusaka. Born with a cleft, he faced many challenges early on. His parents, Josephine and Lumbwe, worried about his health and the stigma surrounding clefts in their village. When Joshua was four months old, Josephine and Lumbwe met doctors who pointed them to Beit CURE Hospital, their local Smile Train partner. When they learned Joshua could receive the cleft surgery he needed for free there thanks to Smile Train’s donors, they were overcome with happiness. "It was a fantastic opportunity for my son,” she Josephine says. “Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for us.” Josephine recalls the emotional day of Joshua’s surgery. Smile Train’s dedicated staff supported her every step of the way. Their care didn’t stop there — Joshua has since received ongoing support, ensuring his smile continues to shine. Today, Joshua is thriving and has a bright future! He dreams of becoming a doctor, inspired by those who helped him. Josephine beams with pride when she talks about her son’s potential. Bring the magic of joy, life, and smiles to more children, families, and communities around the world. Donate now.

🌍 This week, #Lifebox and Smile Train teamed up to host a transformative Team Cleft workshop in Yaoundé, Cameroon! This workshop brought together perioperative providers to enhance communication and teamwork in operating rooms, ultimately improving surgery outcomes. 🙌 Team Cleft bolsters the skills and cohesion of nurses, anesthesia providers, and surgeons. By improving communication and implementing safety processes, we're making every surgery safer for children with cleft lip and palate. 📣 Stay tuned for updates from the global roll out of Team Cleft workshops, including Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. Together, we can make Every Surgery Safer! Read more about Team Cleft here: https://bit.ly/3NSIonl #EverySurgerySafer #TeamCleft #SaferSurgery

Happy #NationalInternDay! Meet Smile Train's summer 2024 New York interns. Joining us in the beginning of June, our interns have been able to be part of the work done here at Smile Train. Thank you interns!

Last weekend overflowed with joy at #CleftCon2024. The genuine warmth, camaraderie, and kindness of our #CleftProud community shone brightly. Witnessing heartfelt stories, sharing journeys, and connecting with new people in the cleft community was truly inspiring. Watch to see a recap of the weekend and share your favorite memory below!👇❤️

Meet Angel Ogaz and his mom, Andrea, from Chile! Angel, at 16, is a passionate artist and budding soccer goalie, thriving despite his early challenges with cleft care. From a shy child finding solace in painting to the heart of his school, Angel's journey is inspiring. Andrea vividly recalls the moment she learned about Angel's cleft during a routine ultrasound. Devastated and uncertain, she found hope and guidance at Gantz Foundation, where they supported her from prenatal care through surgeries and ongoing treatments. "Angel was always my little artist," Andrea shares proudly. "He found peace in painting from a young age, a refuge that helped him overcome his shyness." Today, Angel not only excels in school — especially in his favorite subject, math — but he's also known for his vibrant watercolor paintings.

Over the years, Smile Train has expanded its comprehensive cleft care treatments and programs with the help of our incredible medical partners all around the world. Some of this care can include nutrition treatments, follow-ups, orthodontics, psychosocial work, speech therapy and more. There are currently 85 partner countries where comprehensive cleft care treatments take place. Help Smile Train and local partners by donating today.

Interested in getting more involved with the YLC? Become a YLC Board Member!  Join a group of likeminded individuals who are focused on helping spread awareness about clefts, promoting Smile Train's cause and model, and providing forever smiles for children around the world! YLC Members receive exclusive monthly email updates from Smile Train along with discounts and invitations to YLC and Smile Train events. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dczfV56 

Yusuf is the eldest of three siblings and the only one born with a cleft— neither mis mother, Habibo, nor her family had ever encountered a cleft before in their family. Despite Yusuf undergoing surgery when he was four years old, his cleft was not completely healed, leading to further pain and stigma as he grew up. The turning point came when Habibo learned that free cleft surgery was available through the media. The news that Yusuf would receive the help he needed filled Habibo with hope. The family quickly made arrangements to travel to Smile Train partner Kalkaal Hospital in Mogadishu. A few hours later, Yusuf had more than just a new smile; he had an opportunity for a brighter, more confident future. Today, Yusuf, now 11, walks through the world with confidence.

Monica Bush is a devoted wife and mother of three who lives with her family in Kokomo, Indiana. Her journey took an unexpected turn when, at 19 weeks pregnant, she received the news that her son, Henry, would be born with a cleft lip and potentially cleft palate. Over the past 11 years, Monica has immersed herself in the cleft and craniofacial community, becoming a trusted parent advisor to fellow cleft moms and families at one of Indiana’s leading healthcare institutions, Riley Hospital for Children. As the Executive Director of Legendary Smiles, Monica channels her unwavering passion for cleft and craniofacial care. She compiles educational resources and continues to personally assist families, ensuring they receive the guidance and encouragement they need. Monica’s commitment to making a difference shines through every aspect of her work, impacting the lives of those she serves. Want to hear her in person? There's still time to register for Cleft Con, happening in Houston tomorrow! Where you can connect with more inspiring members of the cleft community, learn from top experts, make new friends, and hear real talk on the emotional, medical, and logistical issues our community knows so well from others who have been there. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eseQgpdb Register for Cleft Con here: https://lnkd.in/eMj39iWx