Our Mission
To forever improve and transform the lives of children and communities impacted by cleft lip and palate by providing free comprehensive treatment, while training and equipping local teams to sustainably provide quality, long-term care.
You Can Help!
Alliance for Smiles is a volunteer driven organization that relies on financial contributions to continue the work that we have started. Your compassion is what creates a new chance at life for the child, the family, and the community at large. There are so many ways to contribute!
It’s a Big, Worldwide Problem
The problem of cleft lip and palate is significant, particularly in developing regions of the world. It’s estimated that one in seven-hundred babies is born with a cleft condition, which often means they will unduly suffer physical, mental and emotional challenges. They often cannot breastfeed, may become malnourished and are prone to health challenges, like ear infections and hearing loss. Often, they experience upper-respiratory problems or speech and dental difficulties. Many need multiple operations and long-term treatment. They commonly endure isolation and ridicule, and are sometimes abused, abandoned, or even killed.
For many families access to surgical care is scarce or unaffordable. Alliance for Smiles offers these children and families hope for a brighter future.
Our Impact 2004-2023
UPCOMING
Missions & Events
Thank you for your interest in our upcoming medical missions.
Due to the continuing Coronavirus Pandemic we are slowly resuming our medical missions, with strict COVID-protocols in place. Please read our revised volunteer guidelines here.
During the pandemic we have continued to further our mission of building local capacity for long-term cleft care, by developing a program of remote training seminars, which we have called our Virtual Education Initiative. Click Here to Read More.
For current information about travel during the global COVID-19 pandemic please visit the CDC website.
Please stay safe and healthy!
Although I don’t know your names, when I see your smile I can feel your love. You are so kind, so sincere, and I am so touched. There is actually love in this world, and individuals are not as selfish and cold-hearted as I believed. We were neither friends nor relatives, yet you came so far to help me. I just can’t put into words how touched I am.