We are so excited to share with you that this year marks a momentous year for Smile International, as we are celebrating 25 years of serving the Lord through the work of Smile International. 25 years of serving God by helping to bring smiles to the faces of His people, facing challenging circumstances around the world. 25 years of having the privilege of creating smiles, all made possible by wonderful supporters like you. Together, this year, let’s celebrate 25 years of turning tears into smiles.

We can’t believe it was in May 1999 that we set off, as a family, in two trucks full of humanitarian aid and drove through 8 countries to help the refugees of Kosovo. This made a lasting impression on us all and with God’s leading and guidance, led to the official registration of Smile International in March 2000.

This year we are taking the time to thank God and reflect on all that He has achieved through His work and ministry using the vessel that is Smile International. None of what has been achieved would have been possible without the Lord going before us and opening up the way, often creating miracles, bringing Him the ultimate glory. To be a part of this incredible journey is a great privilege and to have served the Lord in this capacity for 25 years is a wonderful blessing.

It goes without saying that the unwavering support Smile has received over the years, through faithful supporters like you, has made it all possible. We are celebrating you this year and your dedication, love and compassion for those, that together, we’ve served, are serving and will continue to serve. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing so faithfully with us and for the lives you’ve transformed by your love and generosity.

The greatest gift of all is knowing the profound impact of the legacy of love that remains as people continue to smile around the world today, all because of you.

When we think about all the people that have been fed, the education children and adults have received, the empowerment felt, the communities developed and the children, widows and pastors that have been sponsored, we are in awe of God’s provision.

Within each of these categories are countless lives that have been and continue to be transformed. Your support is instrumental to the work and life of Smile International and together with your unwavering generosity, we’re turning lack into provision, helplessness into hope and struggles into smiles.

To mark this significant year, we have launched Smile’s 25 Challenge. As a great way to keep celebrating this milestone throughout the year we are encouraging you to give £25 a month for 12 months. This equates to £300 for the whole year and serves as a practical way to remember this meaningful anniversary while continuing to bring lasting transformation to those we help.

The people we are committed to helping are facing increasingly challenging times and desperately need our continued love and support. As we celebrate this 25th anniversary let’s remain steadfast in championing change and let this year be a year of significant breakthrough as we continue, together, to have a powerful impact in all that we do.

“We are so grateful to the Lord for trusting us with the vision to establish Smile International over 25 years go. We thought our trip to deliver humanitarian aid to Kosovo was a one-off but God had another long-term plan. Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.” Somebody once said, “God is gloriously unpredictable but always faithful!”

We acknowledge the faithful service of our staff, volunteers, partner organisations and every single supporter, whether prayerful or financial, who has been involved in helping to make a difference to those in need. Thank you for the part you have played over the last 25 years and the part you continue to play in helping to make a difference by turning tears into smiles. We are so grateful to God for His provision and to you, our supporters, who have stood with us over these past 25 years.” Clive and Ruth Doubleday, Founders