4 people found this review helpful
Smile Train, Inc.
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December 21, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
SmileTrain posts highly offensive web ads depicting disfigured children. I consistently complain to every website carrying such ads. I can support this work, which may be very beneficial to these unfortunate kids, but there has to be a better way than their ad campaign.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
7 people found this review helpful
November 21, 2012
7 people found this review helpful
I am overwhelmed by solicitations from Smile Train. It is esp. irritating that I obviously have to go out of the way to stop them. I was esp. turned off by the one that said, "Donate now & we will stop sending you these letters-- so you won't have to see these faces." I feel like the victim to receive the letters with these pictures on the OUTSIDE of the envelope. I give to at least 30 other charities. I am most moved by the Carter Foundation and other charities that help with PREVENTION of disease or family planning. Smile Train is not where I want to send my money & I want them to never contact me again.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Unlikely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
12 people found this review helpful
February 15, 2012
12 people found this review helpful
I had never been active in charity or nonprofit work prior to this past year, when I had an incredible personal experience with SmileTrain that, to me, proved its worth as a tireless and inspired organization devoted to performing good works. Last July, I traveled to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. While motorbiking through the Tanah Toraja region with a friend, I met a local villager named Natsir who was working as an amateur English teacher in the area. After talking for a bit, he invited us to accompany him to his home in a nearby village. We headed up into the hills to his modest house, where he introduced us to his family, poured us cups of tea, and toured us around his small farm. However, I was deeply affected when I saw that Natsir's youngest son Winner, who was two years old at the time, was suffering from an unrepaired cleft palate. Unfortunately, given the family's lack of financial resources and the region's underdeveloped medical infrastructure, the simple procedure needed to remedy his condition was out of the question.
When I relayed this story to my mom, she knew of SmileTrain and thought perhaps they could help. She was able to get in touch with the SmileTrain field officer in Indonesia who was enthusiastic about the potential to help Winner. Unfortunately, the only information I had to help them locate Natsir was his first name, his profession, and the name of the village in which I had originally met him. It was a long-shot, but I forwarded these details to SmileTrain and hoped for the best.
In January, I received an email from our contact at SmileTrain. Through the tireless efforts of their organization, they were able to locate Natsir and his family in their village! As it turns out, Natsir's other son was also suffering from a cleft palate which I did not notice because he did not have as severe a harelip. Both the boys were granted free corrective surgeries and successfully had their operations on January 14 in the city of Rantepao. Now they are in recovery and, in a short time, will be able to give big fat smiles like never before.
The fact that SmileTrain was able to track down this family in such a remote location with so little information is truly remarkable, and as a result, the lives of these two boys have been completely transformed. This organization is certainly worthy of your support, and my experience showed me that their donations are being put to work exactly where they should be. I cannot sing their praises enough- this is exactly what a charitable organization should be doing.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
24 people found this review helpful
February 2, 2012
24 people found this review helpful
I was waiting in the doctor’s office for my appointment and came across a magazine article for Smiletrain. I was so touched I wanted to donate right away. I just wanted to quickly make sure it was a legitimate charity. After finding out how much the CEO makes a year it was actually possible that I could have over looked it . However I then read a review from someone that was actually trying to make possible donators like me feel guilty by downplaying that Hugh CEO salary and quilting me by stories such as - "what If I where the next child in line for the surgery but the donations ran out". And then thankfully that stupid review snapped me out of my crazy thought process. Because If I where the next child in line for surgery and the donations ran out from people like me that make $28K a year I would have been heartbroken and crushed by a greedy evil CEO. I will continue my search for a charity that is just that a charity.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1999
16 people found this review helpful
January 2, 2012
16 people found this review helpful
I'm an RN, and I have worked with newborns with cleft lips and palates. Most often, this defect is a complete surprise. There are often feeding issues, so it's a difficult time for the families The first surgery in this country is usually done at 3 months of age, and I am always amazed how good the kids look after just one surgery. Luckily kids in this country are treated, not the case in third world countries. I understand that this is not just a genetic defect, but is also related to poor diet. I totally agree that the CEO salary is ridiculous, but the work that is done is essential. I don't know how they manage to perform the kind of work that they do at so little cost. Just imagine how many more surgeries could be done if he cut his salary!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
6 people found this review helpful
December 13, 2011
6 people found this review helpful
The seemingly endless supply of children with clefts is because the cleft is most often caused by a defective gene that is passed from generation to generation. Until steps are taken to prevent the passing forward of the gene by the same people who are being COSMETICALLY repaired the whole project is an exercise in futility. I cannot contribute to such a business until an ultimate solution to the problem is presented and implemented.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
9 people found this review helpful
June 21, 2011
9 people found this review helpful
I am the Prevention Coordinator at Central Park East Middle school located in East Harlem. One of our students saw an infomercial and wanted to help. After getting permission from the Principal she then recruited her Board of Directors (advisors as well as other service learning students (Peer leaders) whose job it is to do monthly community service activities to assist her in her endeavor. All parties involved never expected to raise the funds they did but with the inspiration from one student it became contagious that she had the entire school community involved. Her board held dress down days. Healthy snack sales a book fair and a Valentine's Day sweetheart drive. One of our big contributers was Common Cents (Penny harvest) and with the other various service activities we were able to raise a nice amount of money to the SMILE TRAIN organization. It was also an honor to have two representatives from SMILETRAIN to actually come to our school to pick up the check at our Check Ceremony and to also hear how the students got involved in the service activities. It was a great learning experience for all.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing that young people can know that they can make a difference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Change nothing.
3 people found this review helpful
July 22, 2009
3 people found this review helpful
These people are making huge profits for themselves through the abuse of gruesome photographs of poor, maimed children like the recent advertisement in U.S. News & World Report. I am outraged and you should be too.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
US News and World Report
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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Ways to make it better...
They were a legit non-profit and paid their employees a reasonable salary.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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