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Cleft conditions Latest ResearchWhat we do Meet the Team Financials News and Events Blog Photo Gallery Support Us Ten Ways to Help Volunteer Corporate Partnerships Current Partners Fundraise for Smiles Raise a smile Cycle for Smiles Paddling for Smiles Archived Fundraising Campaigns Dan Meyer’s Smile Cycle Cape Town Cycle Tour 2023 Cycle for Smiles 2022 Legacy gifts Student programmes Contact Us Join Mailing List Donate Select Page Mother’s Day: 12 May Choose a unique and meaningful way to honour your mom (or her memory) FIND OUT MORE Every 3 minutes … … a child is born somewhere in the world with a cleft condition. In first world countries, corrective surgery is usually done within the first 18 months of life. But in Southern Africa, where safe surgery is not always freely available or accessible, a child may have to wait years for the chance to live a normal life. What happens if cleft conditions are left untreated? Babies born with cleft may be unable to feed properly, and may suffer from malnutrition and thirst. The risk of death is nine times higher for these children. Speech difficulties are common among children born with cleft conditions. They may struggle to make themselves understood, and need speech therapy after surgery. Teeth may grow at an angle, adding to the disfigurement and making it difficult for the child to chew properly. Following surgery, the child may need orthodontistry to ensure teeth are correctly aligned. In many cultures children born with cleft conditions – and their families – are shunned. Or the child may be mocked and teased for being so ‘ugly’. No wonder they suffer from low self-esteem, bullying and social isolation. Change despair to hope Depending on the severity, cleft conditions can be repaired in just 45 minutes. Your donation makes new smiles possible. DONATE NOW SUBSCRIBE You don’t have to act as if you care You just have to care enough to act In 1982, Dr William (Bill) Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife Kathy, a nurse and clinical social worker, travelled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates. What they found was overwhelming. Over 300 families arrived, hoping their children would receive surgery. But the team could only treat 40 children. People pushed their babies at us,” recalls Kathy. They tugged at our sleeves with tears in their eyes and begged us to help their children.” As they were leaving, the Magees promised they would return to help more children – and Operation Smile was born. Today, Operation Smile is an international medical charity with a network of medical volunteers from more than 80 countries, dedicated to helping children born with cleft palate and other facial abnormalities. MOREJOIN OUR TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS Share our vision We dream of a world where no child suffers from lack of access to safe surgery. As long as there are children in the world who need our help, we’ll do whatever it takes to give them the quality care they deserve. Watch video How your support helps News & Stories Akhanyile gets her smile! Mar 19, 2024 Akhanyile doesn’t smile much. And even though she’s only two, she often reaches up to cover her mouth with her hand. She knows she’s different. read more Miles for Smiles – running along the coast of Ghana for Operation Smile Mar 15, 2024 During March, adventurers David Grier and Andrew Stuart will be running 160 kms along the coastline in Accra, Ghana to raise funds for cleft surgery. read more Community Healthcare Workers’ training in Mpumalanga Mar 14, 2024 In February 2024, Operation Smile’s Mpumalanga Patient Coordinator, Dakalo Maguga, supported the Department of Health in presenting a community outreach training programme. read more MORE Our global family With more than 6,000 active medical volunteers from all around the world, Operation Smile is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based nonprofit organisations. Our supporters are people from all walks of life, who believe that anyone born with a cleft condition deserves safe, effective, and timely surgery and care. Operation Smile South Africa incorporated under Section 21 of the Companies Act 61 of 1973. Donations are deductible in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act of South Africa. Copyright © 2022 Operation Smile - All Rights Reserved. Contact Us Tel: (+27) 021 447 3608 [email protected] Building 17, 103-104, Waverley Business Park 5 Wyecroft Rd, Mowbray NPO Number 083-117 NPO Download our BEE Affidavit Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Join our mailing list First Name * Last Name Email Address * Phone SUBSCRIBE Please do not fill in this field. Please do not fill in this field. Donate Volunteer Code of Conduct | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy Website developed & maintained by SM . Close this module Get a smile in your inbox every month Every smile has a story. Get the stories behind the smiles by joining our email address list. First Name * Last Name Email Address * Phone SUBSCRIBE Please do not fill in this field. Don’t show this message...