Smile Train

Our mission is to provide a child born with a cleft the same opportunities in life as a child born without.

This organization was established in 1999 to assist children with cleft lips and/or palates. Charles Wang, a Shanghai-born US citizen and Chief Executive of the successful computer software company, Computer Associates International, was a principal founder of the Smile Train and continues to serve as chairman of its Board. Computer Associates has been a major donor to the organisation. Since 1999, the Smile Train has funded cleft surgeries for over 690,000 children in 79 countries.

It trains local doctors in appropriate surgical techniques, and other health professionals in related fields: for example, speech therapists, who work with post-operative to help them to speak clearly. From its founding, the Smile Train has implemented a major programme in China, where each year an estimated 25,000 children are born with cleft lips or palates. The organisation’s current target is to facilitate 30,000 surgeries per year in China. Its principal partner including Ministry of health of PRC, the China Charities Federation and Chinese Stomatological Association, identifies children to receive treatment at a network of 397 Smile Train partner hospitals located throughout China. More than 12,000 medical professionals have been trained, including surgeons and paediatric anaesthetists.

The Smile Train raises funds through individual, foundation and corporate giving. Non-program expenses such as overhead and fundraising are paid for with start up grants from founding supporters, including Computer Associates International.