Every child with a cleft needs more than just surgery — they may also need orthodontics, speech therapy, or nutritional support. Where these services are available, we aim to provide them to our patients.
A Single, Solvable Problem: Cleft Lip and Palate
Many children around the world are living with untreated clefts.
Most have difficulties eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking.
- 4
children born with a cleft lip/palate annually in the Philippines.
13000can cover the cost of a cleft surgery.
- 45
minutes can change a child’s life forever.
One Goal: To Give Every Child the Chance to Smile
Smile Train is an international children’s charity that supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally. Our sustainable model empowers local medical professionals to provide cleft care in their own communities.
Comprehensive Care
Sustainable Model
We use the 'teach a man to fish' model focusing on training and empowering local doctors to provide comprehensive cleft care in their own communities.
Our Impact
As a result of our efficiency, Smile Train has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries since 1999. Every 5 Minutes Smile Train-supported cleft treatment helps a child in need.
News & Stories
Gracee’s Story: Patient to Nurse
The bullying finally stopped when Gracee received a Smile Train sponsored cleft surgery.
Today, Gracee is a confident and happy woman, dedicated to serving others...
Joseph Gatchalian is Ready for the World
As a child, Joseph was embarrassed by his untreated cleft lip and grew painfully shy, to the point where if he heard someone come to the door, he would hide beneath the kitchen...
From Patient to Caregiver: Angieleca Hayahay’s Story
But Angieleca persevered and became a nurse in 2009, working with Philippine Band of Mercy, the very same people who, with the help of Smile Train, repaired her cleft an...
