A few weeks ago I travelled to Guatemala together with SmileTrain, an international children's charity that provides free cleft repair to children in developing countries. 

I've been a longtime supporter of Smile Train and now I had the opportunity to see first hand the incredible work they do in partnership with clinics in Guatemala, one of more than 80 countries where Smile Train operates. 

During my week-long stay in Guatemala, I visited a local clinic run by Guatemalan doctors who perform cleft repair funded by Smile Train. I met with a group of patients, some as young as three months old and I even had the opportunity to observe an operation! 

I also travelled to a remote village to visit a cleft-affected family, where I had the great pleasure of meeting some amazing kids and their parents. 

Everything I saw and experienced in Guatemala convinced me that the work that Smile Train does - entirely funded by donations - is absolutely vital for the wellbeing of so many children. 

To read more about my Guatemala adventure, visit my blog: www.bornwhole.wordpress.com

Why do I support Smile Train? 

I was born with a cleft lip and palate and I know all too well the challenges that come with having an unusual appearance. 

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth defects in the world and once repaired, most people born with a cleft grow up to live healthy lives with few complications. 

Whereas I was fortunate to have access to world class medical care and reconstructive surgery, cleft-affected children in poorer countries often don't have access to clinics equipped to perform cleft repair. 

Although there are a number of charities that offer cleft care to children in developing countries, I’ve chosen to support Smile Train for their sustainable approach to cleft care.

In addition to free cleft repair, Smile Train also provides training, funding and resources to make it possible for local doctors in more than 80 developing countries to provide cleft care in their own communities.

According to Smile Train, clefts are primarily an economic problem, not a medical one. For, while the surgical procedure itself is relatively straightforward and low risk, cleft-afflicted families in very poor, and often remote, communities can’t afford the cost of travelling to a clinic that offers cleft care, let alone pay for the operation itself.

Lack of information about cleft also means that families are often unaware of existing cleft treatments. As a result, all too many children with cleft in developing countries do not receive the reconstructive surgery they need and which is so vital for their long-term health and wellbeing.

My pledge: I pledge to match the total amount raised here by 24 December 2016. 

My plea to you: Read my blog to find out more about Smile Train's work in Guatemala and please, please consider making a donation here to such a vital cause. Please, give a child a smile for Christmas! 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.