On 23 and 24 April 2026, Operation Smile, joined key partners – including the Department of Health and Igwiba Lesizwe Foundation – to take the Bring a Smile Campaign to the rural community of Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape, within the Enoch Mgijima Municipality.
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who took part in this year’s Freedom Paddle – helping to raise much needed funds for Operation Smile in the process. Your efforts raised just over R55 000 for vital cleft surgery.
This year, no fewer than 35 Two Oceans Marathon runners chose to add to their achievement by raising funds for Operation Smile. Together, they raised an incredible R125 000 towards much needed cleft surgery.
Every Operation Smile patient bears a badge of hope – a scar that shows they received the surgical care they needed, found hope, and began a new chapter in life.
We are so touched by this beautiful poem, ‘My Smile’, written by Pralene Mahabir, poet and author of children’s books.
From 24-26 October, our team of volunteer medical professionals performed 32 successful cleft surgeries at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha.