Art has the power to heal and uplift the spirit. Celebrating its support of more than 75,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines, Smile Train — the world’s largest cleft-focused organization — is bringing the transformative power of art to the Philippine cleft community through Art Impact for Health.
A global initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, Art Impact for Health aims to enable healing, communication, and improved psychosocial well-being for all patients. Cleft-affected patients face continuing stigma, and many are bullied or mistreated because of their condition, leaving them to struggle with negative self-image and low self-esteem.
Developing Sustainable Cleft Care in the Philippines
Smile Train knows that cleft care is not just surgical care — patients with cleft often need ongoing speech, orthodontic, nutrition, and psychosocial care to survive and thrive. In celebration of the organization’s 75,000-surgery landmark, Smile Train, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Band of Mercy, held an art workshop today, bringing the cleft community closer together. Patients and families affected by cleft, cleft community advocates, WHO representatives, and Smile Train partners and ambassadors attended, including the winner and runners-up of Miss Universe Philippines 2023.
The workshop aims to help cleft-affected patients discover healing through art by forging a connection between mind and body, enabling self-expression and empowerment.
“Healing and health go beyond procedures and treatments. Psychosocial well-being plays a big role in healing and recovery, as well as in building resilience to overcome challenges,” said Mamta Carroll, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for Smile Train Asia. “As such, we at Smile Train are proud to work alongside the World Health Organization in the Art Impact for Health initiative, as it engages not just patients but those helping in their care by supporting culture and art activities that promote well-being and health for all.”
Over the years, Smile Train has brought to life its vision of a sustainable, local model for supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. It supports 100% free cleft repair surgery and end-to-end cleft care for children, through innovations such as telehealth and the establishment of comprehensive cleft care centers nationwide, as well as activities like Art Impact for Health. Smile Train treats the whole patient through programs that provide access to comprehensive cleft care services, helping build their confidence to interact with others in school, community, and the workplace, allowing them to fully thrive.
For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
