‘Tis the season for giving and creating a global ripple effect of smiles. As dentists, you know the power of a smile. It’s a symbol of joy and positivity, a way to connect with others.
Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, is celebrating 2 million smiles this Giving Tuesday, a global day of charitable giving that takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year on December 3, 2024.
To commemorate Giving Tuesday, Smile Train invites the dental community and their compassionate supporters to help give cleft-affected children the gift of a smile and a full and healthy life. With a generous 2X match from our partner Dentsply Sirona, every donation given will be matched up to a total of $15,000. This means that your contribution will go twice as far to ensure children in underserved communities get the care they need.
The organization’s 2 millionth cleft surgery recipient was Rajib, an 11-year-old boy from South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Rajib and his father Alim before surgery.
Born with a cleft, Rajib faced significant challenges growing up. He struggled socially at school and experienced bullying by his classmates. Before his surgery in April, Rajib spent his days in solitude and grappled with self-consciousness. His friends were in short supply.
Thanks to the support of Smile Train and their surgical partners in Indonesia, Rajib’s life has been transformed. Today, he beams with confidence, can’t wait to attend school, and cherishes his many friendships.
“Every morning when I go to school, I’m excited,” Rajib shared. “I’m not afraid anymore. I don’t get teased.”
Children aren’t the only recipients of Smile Train’s support. Rajib’s father, Alim, underwent cleft surgery as well—marking Smile Train’s 2 million and first surgery. Alim, 50, also carried a lifetime of challenges due to his cleft, which forced him to drop out of school in first grade.
Feeling the stigma that can come with having a cleft, Alim and his family decided to live in a remote area, avoiding social interaction. Following his surgery, however, Alim is now inspired to explore new horizons and hopes to relocate to embrace life more fully and connect with others.
“A thousand thanks to Smile Train and all the donors who made it possible for us to have surgery,” said Alim.
Every three minutes, a baby is born with a cleft somewhere in the world. The condition is not just a cosmetic issue—it can make eating, speaking, and even breathing difficult.
Smile Train is unique in the cleft space, as they have a sustainable model of care. Instead of flying Western doctors around the world to perform surgery sprints and leave, the nonprofit builds long-term local partnerships, trains local healthcare providers, and invests in local medical infrastructure in all 75+ countries where they have a presence. The organization equips generations of medical professionals all over the globe with the skills and resources to care for the communities in which they live.
Smile Train takes care of the whole child by supporting comprehensive wrap-around services in addition to cleft surgeries, including nutritional counseling, dental and psychosocial services, speech-language therapy, and Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) care.
As we prepare for the holiday season, it is essential to remember the true spirit of this time of year—giving back to those in need.
Help spread the joy of a smile and support Smile Train’s life-changing work by clicking here and donating today at smiletrain.org/giveback.
Rajib and his father Alim after surgery.
This season, a small gift can make a profound difference—helping another child, another family, and another generation discover the power of a smile.
