Catriona Gray bonds with a Smile Train beneficiary in Brazil. Image: Facebook.com/catrionaelisagray
As the reigning Miss Universe, Catriona Gray has no intention to break her promise to champion children’s rights and to help the underprivileged in any way she can.
The Filipino-Australian beauty queen has recently taken to Brazil her advocacy, visiting Smile Train, an international charity for children with cleft palates and cleft lips.
“Changing lives one smile at a time,” Gray said in an Instagram post on Oct. 26. “Had so much fun visiting Hospital Menino Jesus and interacting with the patients along with the passionate staff and medical faculty.”
“So amazing to see how these children’s lives are being changed with the 100% free comprehensive care made possible by @smiletrain,” she added.
Gray was accompanied by Miss USA Cheslie Kryst and Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris in helping spread awareness for children with cleft palates.
“The queens are in Brazil with @smiletrain witnessing firsthand, amazing work that is supported 365 days a year,” the Miss Universe organization stated on its Instagram account on the same day.
Gray also took to Instagram today to share her fruitful visit to the home of a Smile Train beneficiary named Bernardo.
“This was definitely one of the most special moments of my whole Brazil trip,” she said. “We were invited to the home of @smiletrain beneficiary Bernardo and upon the presentation of a mirror for which Bernardo could use one day to see his new smile, the tears came.”
“It became so evident the strength that the families of these children born with cleft have. We saw the unconditional love they have for their children,” Gray added. “The work that these people do is so inspiring, the extent of how they’ve touched and changed lives is usually kept behind the scenes but I want to take this moment to honor them.”
“Thank you for all the of the work that you and your team do @smiletrain. Being a witness to the work that you are doing in the communities around the world has crazy inspired me,” the beauty queen said.
In another post, Gray introduced Smile Train beneficiary named Wesley, who has successfully received reconstructive surgery and speech therapy.
“A life changed with a smile. @smiletrain Meet Wesley. As well as undergoing surgery for cleft lip and palate, he has also done five years of speech therapy to give him confidence with his smile,” she said. “It’s amazing to see first hand how @smiletrainbrasil is working to change lives.”
The children’s welfare advocate encourages others to donate to Smile Train through their official website, smiletrain.org, to “help change more lives one smile at a time.” Miss Universe has been in partnership with Smile Train since 2016.
Gray has also supported other non-profit organizations aiding children, such as Smile Train Philippines and Young Focus.
Gray is the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines after Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973) and Gloria Diaz (1969). JB
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