Dear Friends, Supporters, and Fellow Advocates,

Hope for a Smile Foundation (HFAS) International Foundation was born from a place of lived experience, resilience, and a deep desire to give back

I know firsthand the emotional, mental and physical journey children with craniofacial differences like cleft lip and palate as well as other birth defects go through. Not just the medical challenges, but the isolation, the whispers, the weight of being different. Yet I would say my story is one of grace. It shaped who I am today and fuels my commitment to help ensure that no child feels forgotten because of circumstances beyond their control.

Growing up in Nigeria, I had the strength of a mother whose name happens to be Hope and who stood firm through every life challenge. With faith, love, and access to critical care, I had opportunities that many children with similar conditions still hope for. Sports became my outlet, and over time, education became my weapon. A combination that has helped me understand people, systems, trauma, and how to build sustainable solutions. Over the past decade, living in the U.S. and now Canada, I have observed the global disparities between these countries and my home country, Nigeria. Particularly in access to adequate medical care, mental health support, and opportunities for children born with birth defects or ailments Nonetheless, I’ve also seen the incredible power of compassion, community, and collective action.

This vision began over a decade ago at the age of 19, moved by the stories of children living with cleft lip and palate across Africa. What started as research due to personal experiences, became a call to purpose and that call has now become Hope for a Smile. (HFAS) an established non-profit dedicated to restoring dignity, health, and hope to children and youth living with various disabilities in Africa.

This work goes beyond surgery or therapy. It’s about access, equity, and the belief that no child should be defined or limited by the circumstances of their birth. A child without care, becomes an adult locked out of opportunity, forcing them to lose hope in systems, in people, and often in themselves.

We are working to change that narrative, but we can’t do it alone. We are calling on governments, development organizations, medical professionals, donors, volunteers, and visionaries alike to join us. It’s about partnerships, it’s about unity, it’s about giving HOPE.

With deep gratitude,

Lincoln Ifeanyi Abraham

Founder,

HFAS International Foundation