Could this be you … part of a team finding joy in giving children new smiles?

Change the world

 

Volunteer

Volunteers are the life-blood of our organisation … giving selflessly of their time and skills to help children born with cleft conditions. Please consider joining our happy team. We need qualified and dedicated:

  • Plastic Surgeons/Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • Anaesthesiologists
  • Paediatric Anaesthesiologists
  • Paediatric Intensivists
  • Paediatricians
  • Nurses
  • Biomedical Technicians
  • Orthodontists/General Dentists
  • Speech Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Medical Records Personnel
  • Patient Imaging Technicians
  • Photographers

In return, we offer fantastic camaraderie, an incredible sense of satisfaction, and unforgettable moments that will touch your  heart forever.

 

VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH AFRICA
Volunteer

Volunteer Bruce Lelala

I come from an underprivileged background and being able to help those in need is a great honor and achievement for me. Joining Operation Smile was one of my best decisions. I admire and respect the values of the organisation, the dedication and the passion of everyone involved and the amazing work that the organization does globally.

Dr. Bruce Lelala

Plastic Surgeon, volunteer for 4 Years

Taariq Mobara

My mom got me roped into Operation Smile! She is a volunteer nurse on missions. I always envied the way she could use her expertise to help people. When the opportunity arose for me to volunteer for a mission, I grabbed it with both hands. I realised that even though I couldn’t facilitate in medical interventions, I could use my work experience and expertise to assist in a non-medical fashion.
Taariq Mobara

Medical Records volunteer for 12 Years

Hanlie Snyman

Cleft lip or palate can lead to psychosocial challenges that have an enormous effect on the individual and their families. I prepare the patient for the procedure and help the children and their families by providing information, support and guidance. My role is small compared to the rest of the team, but if the patient and their families know what to expect, they feel less anxious and uncertain. By volunteering I am part of a team that ultimately changes the physical condition, but most importantly it helps a person to live a life with a stronger sense of self-belief and social competence. I feel honoured to be part of that.
Hanlie Snyman

Educational Psychologist, Volunteer for 6 Years

Volunteer Zaria Adam

As a South African, born in Cape Town and currently residing in Germany, I continuously explore ways of connecting with my community back home. I have chosen Operation Smile, because it not only gives me the opportunity to create awareness, but also support the provision of life-changing surgeries for children born with cleft palette or cleft lip in communities.

Zaria Adam

Student Volunteer, Germany

Volunteer Farah Logday

My mission experience was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I have never seen people from all over the world work so well together caring for the same cause.

As a student I mainly prioritized keeping the patients calm and happy as the majority were children. I was fascinated by these children. Their creativity, how smart they were for their age truly made me see they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Farah Logday

Student Volunteer and U-Voice for Operation Smile SA

Volunteers Speak – Prof Madaree

Seeing a child smiling, seeing a mother’s tears — that’s so moving. Many people around the world have problems accessing safe surgery. If we can try to help them,  that’s the humanitarian thing we must do.

Prof. Anil Madaree

Plastic Surgeon, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN

Sign up to volunteer in South Africa

Click here to volunteer in other countries

 

Please complete the form, and our volunteer coordinator will get back to you shortly. Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Operation Smile South Africa.