Celebrating 25: New Milestones, New Impact, New Opportunities to Change the World
![Smile Train 25: Transforming Lives & Global Cleft Care for 25 Years](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/3_2__720x480/public/2024-04/25-logo-header.jpg?itok=jFowHJ59)
![Smile Train Impact Report over 25 Years](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__720x576/public/2024-05/smile-train-economic-impact-report-over-25-years.jpg?itok=2HKCL7KE)
Smile Train has contributed more than $69 billion to the global economy.
2 Million and Counting
Thanks to our dedicated supporters and global network of dedicated local partners, we have officially surpassed our two millionth cleft surgery. What an incredible way to celebrate our 25th year!
The story of this milestone starts in a tiny river village in South Sumatra, Indonesia, with Alim and his son Rajib.
Alim, age 50, had to drop out of school in first grade due to unrelenting bullying. It pained him to see his son suffer like he did, even if, at 10 years old, he still insisted on not dropping out.
Smile Train Images
![Rajib before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/rajib-close-before.jpg?itok=ANVGlE3t)
![Alim before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/alim-before.jpg?itok=MF8duT8S)
![Rajib sitting in school before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/rajib-school.jpg?itok=auttHYr4)
![Alim fishing before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/alim-fish.jpg?itok=xvtxxy4C)
![Alim and Rajib smiling with their family before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/alim-rajib-whole-family.jpg?itok=eHLSGHdP)
Then, in February 2024, hope came to their isolated village donning a camouflage uniform. The Indonesian Army arrived with the news the family had spent the past half century praying for: Alim and Rajib could both get free cleft surgery at their nearest hospital, and one of them would receive Smile Train’s two millionth cleft surgery. The whole world was going to hear their story and marvel at their new smiles.
“Rajib should be two million,” Alim insisted. “I will be the two-million-and-first.”
Journey and hospital gallery
![Indonesian soldier greeting Alim before his cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/alim-babinsa.jpg?itok=vxQHlUJe)
![Alim and Rajib riding a boat with their family to the treatment center before cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/speedboat-to-care.jpg?itok=IX1WqSdj)
![Alim smiling and sitting next to Rajib in a van](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/on-bus.jpg?itok=WWtrC-fH)
![Alim reaching out to Rajib in the treatment center before their cleft surgeries](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/in-hospital-bed.jpg?itok=hY_Cwdtd)
![Indonesian soldiers smiling and high-fiving Rajib as he looks at himself in the mirror after his cleft surgery](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__760x608/public/2024-04/rajib-seeing-himself-after-cleft-lip-palate-surgery.jpg?itok=mtXY_p05)
Two million cleft surgeries is more than every other charity combined. Smile Train reached this milestone in just 25 years thanks to our unique, sustainable model of empowering local healthcare workers around the world to provide high-quality, free cleft treatment to their neighbors in need — no matter how remote — and generous gifts from people like you who understand that smiles change lives.
As we celebrate 25 years of lighting up the world with smiles, we know that another baby with a cleft is born every three minutes. And there are still more than a million more people just like Rajib and Alim waiting for the care that will turn their cleft into a second chance at life.
![25 Ways to Support Smile Train](/https/www.smiletrain.org/sites/default/files/styles/5_4__720x576/public/2024-05/25-ways-to-get-involved-header.jpg?itok=Im7OiCBy)
25 Ways to Get Involved
Bring health, life, and smiles to children in need around the world just by doing whatever makes you smile.
A gift to Smile Train is an investment in a future of healthcare, dignity, education, second chances, opportunity, and smiles for all.
Make a difference today: