Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused NGO, joined hands with the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) to host a student awareness and fundraising activity on Saturday.
This initiative witnessed the participation of nearly 2,000 students at the USTM campus.
The Meghalaya Smiles event raised awareness through engaging activities such as quizzes and games, a phawar performance on the importance of smiles, a flash mob and a screening of the Oscar-winning film ‘Smile Pinki’. A fundraising campaign was also launched, encouraging USTM to support Smile Train’s cause.
“The Smile Train is providing a great service to humanity and I hope this campaign will create considerable awareness among the masses,” USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque said.
In India, more than 35,000 children are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every year. Many of these children face challenges in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking due to the lack of affordable cleft surgeries and comprehensive care. Dr Werlock Kharshiing, Smile Train partner surgeon and Chairman of Woodland Hospital in Shillong, shared, “Our partnership with Smile Train spans 17 years, and together we have helped provide free cleft surgeries in Meghalaya. Limited awareness continues to be a challenge and this campaign will surely lead to improved awareness and a greater number of cleft-affected children receiving timely care and leading fulfilling lives.”
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. Since 2000, Smile Train India has supported more than 7 lakh free cleft surgeries across India through a network of 150-plus partner hospitals. For cleft treatment-related queries or support, the toll-free helpline number is 18001038301.
