Miss Universe Catriona Gray Brings Smiles To Cleft Lip Patients

A woman of purpose, reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray from the Philippines fulfilled her promise to lend her voice to support children’s rights. Accompanied by her fellow queens — Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris, they visited Smile Train in Brazil to help spread awareness on children with cleft lips and cleft palates.

“Changing lives one smile at a time,” Catriona captioned her Instagram post on October 26. “So amazing to see how these children’s lives are being changed with the 100% free comprehensive care made possible by @smiletrain”, she added.  

Like the charity work she did in the past, the Miss Universe 2018 also took part this time in creating artworks, and spent time playing with the children. She posted, “Smiles are best when shared, had so much fun being goofy, making arts and crafts with children who have benefited from life changing cleft surgery through @smiletrain @smiletrainbrasil.”

The queen also had the chance to visit the mother of one of the patients, Bernardo, who will undergo surgery next month. Catriona presented her with a simple gift that the baby boy could use one day to see his brightest smile.  

“This was definitely one of the most special moments of my whole Brazil trip. We were invited to the home of @smiletrain beneficiary Bernardo and upon the presentation of a mirror for which Bernardo could use one day to see his new smile, the tears came. It became so evident the strength that the families of these children born with cleft have. We saw the unconditional love they have for their children,” she emotionally stated.  

“The work that these people do is so inspiring, the extent of how they've touched and changed lives is usually kept behind the scenes but I want to take this moment to honor them. Thank you for all the of the work that you and your team do, @smiletrain being a witness to the work that you are doing in the communities around the world has crazy inspired me,” Catriona added.

A smile is truly one of the most powerful tools to bring out one’s self-confidence. Help change lives “one smile at a time” by donating on their official website. Smile Train has been in partnership with Miss Universe since 2016.

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