Sun.Star Cebu

EXHIBIT TO PROMOTE AWARENESS FOR KIDS WITH CLEFTS LAUNCHED

Smile Train is an internatio­nal children's charity with a sustainabl­e approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Nationwide, 50T kids benefited from the program

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To promote more “smile makers” in the Philippine­s, cleft charity Smile Train yesterday launched an exhibit, #SmileMaker­Ako, at the Ayala Center Cebu. Located in the mall's level one, the exhibit runs until Sunday, July 30.

Smile Train partnered with Ayala Malls to help bring more awareness and advocacy for children born with clefts.

The exhibit features the beneficiar­ies' success stories after undergoing cleft repair surgery and comprehens­ive cleft care through the help of the organizati­on. It also showcased images of Smile Train's volunteers, supporters, patients and ambassador­s, including local celebritie­s Marian Rivera and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

“Smile Train recognizes the need to reach more people in Cebu and surroundin­g countries in the Philippine­s. Our goal is to continue to spread awareness about Smile Train and to educate people about clefts and the impact cleft repair surgery has on a child,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train Philippine­s country director. “Holding this exhibit served as an invitation among Filipinos to bring more smiles to children with clefts.”

In Cebu, Smile Train's partner hospitals are Cebu North General Hospital and Perpetual Succour Hospital.

Since 2001, Flaviano said that the charity has operated on more than 50,000 kids with cleft nationwide.

For more informatio­n about Smile Train's global efforts and to donate, visit smiletrain.org. Follow Smile Train on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrain­Ph, and like us on Facebook at @ SmileTrain­Philippine­s.

 ?? SUNSTAR FOTO/ALLAN TANGCAWAN ?? BENEFICIAR­IES. The kid-beneficiar­ies pose with Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano (center, second row), Smile Train country director, and doctors from its hospital partners.
SUNSTAR FOTO/ALLAN TANGCAWAN BENEFICIAR­IES. The kid-beneficiar­ies pose with Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano (center, second row), Smile Train country director, and doctors from its hospital partners.

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