Smile Foundation transforms young faces during Smile Week

The Smile Foundation, an NPO that is committed to transforming the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns, has once again brought some happiness and smiles to young children.

A team of doctors and surgeons is currently performing a series of operations at the George Hospital in the Western Cape for the Mini Smile Week initiative.

To date, over 5 000 children have received life-changing surgeries through the Smile Foundation since 2007.

This week, the team is performing a series of life-changing surgeries in George. The patients hail from all over the region.

It’s an emotional time for the little one’s parents which eventually changes from heartbreak to joy.

Parent Lecricia Pietersen says, “They referred us to the Red Cross Hospital and they made an appointment for us with the Smile Foundation at the George hospital. Yesterday’s operation is only the first. There’s still a long road ahead for us.”

Another Parent Jolene Swartz adds, “Xaria was barely an hour out of theatre and I gave her some yogurt. She quickly recovered and is walking around now.”

Young as they are, these children have faced many challenges. These surgeries aim to restore their confidence and joy.

Smile Foundation’s Koketso Modupi says, “So we have an initiative called the Smile Week. All these doctors come together, we partner with the public hospitals or semi-private hospitals and we perform surgeries on these children. So we usually get donors. For example, this time around our main sponsor is ACSA and they sponsoring 17 children for this mini smile week which means that after Wednesday, 17 more children’s lives will be changed for the better.”

This collaboration aims to uplift communities.

UCT’s Head of Plastic Surgery, Professor Saleigh Adams says, “I think all surgeons and all medical people want to give back, they want to help, and that’s why we do what we do. It’s terribly frustrating when we can’t do that and it’s also very sad when we see the children requiring surgeries and they have to wait long periods of time. So for us coming here, it’s a real real pleasure to give back to the community and also to see them grow and do well.”