A New Smile in Tirupur

When Priya held her newborn daughter for the first time, she anticipated a moment of bliss. Instead, she was overwhelmed with fear and shock. Her baby girl, Krithvika, had a cleft lip and palate, something neither she nor her husband, Venkatraman, had ever heard of or seen before.

With their tiny child struggling to breathe and feed, the parents did their best to stay strong. Priya recalled, "We were scared, nervous about what was happening and unsure of what the future would hold for her."

The turning point came when their maternity hospital referred them to Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore. There, for the first time, they learned that a safer, better future for their daughter was possible, thanks to Ganga’s partnership with Smile Train.

Anxiety faded into relief as the hospital team patiently guided them through the cleft treatment process with clarity and compassion — and explained that, thanks to Smile Train’s donors, all of Krithvika’s cleft care would be 100% free. 

As the day of the surgery approached, Priya and Venkataraman felt more nervous than ever, even as their doctors and nurses ensured that Krithvika was safe and well cared for throughout the process.

When she finally saw her baby after her surgery, Priya was again overwhelmed — this time, with joy. "We couldn't believe the results. We never imagined her smile could look like this," she said. The transformation was more than just physical; it opened a new world of hope and aspiration for their daughter.

Venkatraman and Priya say Smile Train's support also transformed their lives: "Smile Train provided us with top doctors and facilities, giving our daughter the best chance for her future." 

Krithvika's journey illustrates the impact of collaboration among medical professionals, hospitals, and Smile Train’s donors. Thanks to you, another little girl in Tirupur can now smile and embrace a bright future ahead.