Mandela Day (this coming Saturday) reminds us that we can all make a difference.
Whether we give of our time, our skills or our wealth, helping someone in need really is ‘in our hands’.
And right now, a child like Nhlanhla needs our help. Yours and mine.
Little Nhlanhla was born with a cleft lip and palate. Doctors assured her mom that surgery was possible. But every time she took her child to the hospital, she was turned away and told to come back another time. Nhlanhla’s condition ‘wasn’t urgent’, they said.
But cleft surgery IS urgent. Without it, children’s nutrition, speech and dental development may be compromised. They may be ostracized and bullied by their community. And sometimes, it’s so bad that a child isn’t able to go to school.
That’s why Operation Smile won’t rest as long as there are children who need help. Our team of volunteer medical specialists is heading to the Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela at the end of the month to provide safe, world class surgery to around 30 children like Nhlanhla … giving each one a beautiful new smile and the chance to grow up strong and healthy.
Our volunteers give freely of their time and expertise. But we still have to find the money to pay for medical equipment and supplies – as well as transport to get both equipment and people to Mbombela.
This is where your Mandela Day donation – made right here and now – makes all the difference. Whether you’re able to give one rand for every Mandela minute (R67), ten rand for every minute (R670) or a hundred rand for every minute (R6 700) – your kindness will help change a child’s life forever.
So please, will you join in now? Be there with us in spirit – standing beside our doctors as they bring hope and health to children born with cleft conditions. It really is our hands – ours and yours.
