PSA: Ridin' on the SMILE TRAIN:)

This is a Public Service Announcement.

The world can be cruel for children born with cleft lip and palate, a type of congenital facial abnormality. 

Such was the case of Jhoanna who experienced being the object of ridicule in school due to her condition. The young girl's mother often fought with neighbors in defense of her daughter's cleft. Born to an impoverished family, an operation to correct her condition seemed to be a far-fetched dream.

But Jhoanna's ordeal was finally put to an end upon receiving a free cleft lip surgery thanks to Philippine Band of Mercy, one of the partners of SMILE TRAIN in the Philippines.

Photo courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES

SMILE TRAIN is the leading cleft charity responsible for Jhoanna's life-changing "SMILEstone". Since its establishment in 1999, the organization has performed hundreds of thousands of free cleft lip surgery to poverty-stricken children around the globe.  [In fact, Jhoanna holds the record of being the 750,000th recipient of Smile Train's benevolent service.]

To quote Ms. Kimmy Flaviano, Country Manager for Smile Train in the Philippines:

“It only takes a very simple procedure, to change a child’s life.  It is sad that so many children in the Philippines, particularly those from poor families, do not have the means to correct this condition.  They have to go through life bearing the physical and health complications, as well as the shame and isolation.  This is why we, at Smile Train, are very passionate about carrying-out the organization’s mission to give an opportunity to every child with a cleft case to live a full and productive life.” 

Photo Courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES

Jhoanna is truly a living testimony that there is hope for children born with cleft lip and palate. With Smile Train, such physical abnormality would never again hinder anyone from beaming oh-so-brightly to the whole wide world.

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Ride on the Smile Train! 

If you know anyone in the Philippines in need of FREE cleft lip and palate surgery, contact Smile Train Philippines by calling or sending a message to 0917-52-TRAIN (0917-52-87246). 

Photo courtesy of SMILE TRAIN PHILIPPINES