A Familiar Battle, A New Beginning

For most families, a cleft diagnosis feels like the ground giving way. For Hussain’s parents, Shaziya and Kaleem Ahmed, it was déjà vu. They had seen it before — not in a medical journal or on a neighbor’s child, but in their own arms.

The humble couple from Ghas Mandi in Meerut had already faced this journey 14 years earlier, with their elder son, Ali. This time, however, there were no tears. No frantic questions. Just one quiet, daunting thought: “How will we afford surgery again?”

Kaleem labors to make ends meet, and Shaziya holds the home together. Their neighbors and relatives have always stood by them, offering empathy and love. It was deeply appreciated, but not enough to heal their son.

Then, one day, a relative arrived who had found support through Smile Train. With just one conversation, the impossible began to seem possible.
 

He directed them to Anand Nirog Dham Hospital, their local Smile Train partner. There, they found not just doctors, but people who understood their worries. The patient coordinator guided them with warmth, and the staff made them feel comforted. Surgery day came and went like a quiet miracle — and within a few weeks, Hussain could eat and breathe just like other children his age.

Today, Hussain is six — chasing cricket balls with a wide grin and dreaming of becoming a pilot. His cleft no longer defines him. His dreams do.

And Shaziya and Kaleem Ahmed are nothing but grateful! “Smile Train gave our son a second chance to live fully, speak proudly, and smile without hesitation,” says Kaleem.

Hussain’s story is not just about one child. It’s about hope. It’s about families who choose courage and patience. And it’s about the incredible change that can happen when communities and organizations come together to create smiles, one child at a time.

The family has a message for others on this journey: “Don’t be afraid. Don’t hide. Speak up and reach out. Help is out there.”