Residents in Witbank, Mpumalanga and the surrounding communities now have a great reason to smile thanks to The South African branch of Operation Smile for providing medical assistance to people with cleft lips and palates. For the past two years Operation Smile missions have taken place in Witbank, this year’s mission commenced on the 12th to 16th of March 2020.
According to Lauren Bright, Operation Smile SA’s Country Manager “Giving the gift of a smile and changing a person’s life forever is no mean feat and it’s only made possible by the contributions received from organisations.”
The medical mission included a screening day on the Friday and surgeries on the Saturday and Sunday, with a total of 23 surgeries performed. Over a period of 14 years, Operation Smile has provided free reconstructive surgery to more than 6,000 patients in Africa, including those with more complicated facial conditions. Surgeries can be as quick as 45 minutes and cost about R5,500 each.
Furthermore, Operation Smile also provides training to healthcare professionals in South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The organisation works with local medical professionals, hospitals and other NGOs to create models of surgical care to provide effective solutions.
Round Table Sandown 150, through the funding raised by ICAP, during the annual Charity Day, was glad to contribute R170,000 towards the Witbank mission. Covering costs relating to accommodation, transport and meals for the families as well as the volunteers who offered up their valuable time in order to put the smiles back on children’s faces.
We as Round Table made a life-changing difference for 23 kids, who may otherwise have been ostracised or might have suffered speech impediments.