- Smile Train welcomes Barbie Forteza to the family as the newest Celebrity Ambassador
- With the help of GMA Artist Center, Forteza signed on with Smile Train on August 14
Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity, has formally welcomed Barbie Forteza into the Smile Train family as the newest Celebrity Ambassador. With the help of GMA Artist Center, Forteza signed on with Smile Train on August 14.
“I am very happy to be a part of Smile Train’s family,” says Forteza. “I know that Ate Marian [Rivera] is an enthusiastic supporter of the charity and I couldn’t wait to jump on board and help in my own way.”
After the contract signing, Forteza visited cleft patients who have benefitted from Smile Train’s local programs patients and handed out teddy bears to bring smiles to their faces. She also spoke with the parents of the patients and with the local medical professionals who partner with Smile Train, eager to learn more about their journey.
“It is inspiring to see the brave smiles on these children’s faces after they’ve received their cleft surgery,” says Forteza. “Because of these children, I want to be able to spread the word about Smile Train and all the great work that they do for children with clefts. I want people to know that Smile Train provides more than just the training, funding, and resources for cleft surgery, but also supports essential comprehensive cleft care programs like speech therapy.”
Unknown to the local Smile Train team, Forteza offered a donation. As she recently celebrated her 21st birthday, she found the charity fit and aligned with her values.
“Smile Train is very proud and excited to have Barbie become a part of our family,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train’s Area Director for Southeast Asia. “We are grateful to GMA Artist Center for making this partnership a reality as we know that Barbie will be able to help us reach more children with clefts who are in need of our help.”
For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org. Follow Smile Train on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
