Smile Week restores hope and confidence for Northern Cape children

IN A HEARTWARMING display of collaboration and compassion, the Smile Foundation, in partnership with Smart Business Systems (SBS), has once again transformed lives at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH) during the Kimberley Mini Smile Week.

Held on November 24-25 and continuing December 1-2, this initiative is providing critical reconstructive surgeries to children facing congenital abnormalities and burn-related deformities, offering them a brighter future filled with renewed confidence and possibilities.

Children from across the province, including Kimberley, Pampierstad, Upington, Douglas, and Steinkopf, are benefiting from specialised procedures performed by expert surgeons Dr Maria Giaquinto-Cilliers and Dr Gert Steyn.

Among the young patients are six-month-old Timotheus Koopman, who underwent a unilateral cleft lip repair, and a one-year, five-month-old Kgatooentle, both embarking on journeys toward improved feeding, speech, and overall development.

For many families, this event marks the end of long waits, sometimes lasting months or years, for access to such vital care, thereby alleviating both financial and emotional burdens.

Timotheus's mother, Johlene Koopman, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity. "I am very excited and thankful for the operation of my child," she said. "I want to thank RMSH, Dr Maria and her team, the nurses in the ward and theatre, and the Smile Foundation. She prays that they will be able to help more children."

RMSH CEO Mr Ntintelo emphasised the profound impact of the ongoing partnership with Smile Foundation, which began in 2017. "This collaboration has enabled surgeries for more than 200 children with congenital deformities such as cleft lips and palates, as well as reconstructive procedures for post-burn injuries," he noted.

As the Northern Cape's sole tertiary centre for plastic and reconstructive surgery, RMSH's Burns Unit serves as the provincial referral hub for multidisciplinary burn care, catering to patients from remote districts in need of specialised treatment.

The partnership has also driven significant infrastructure improvements. Two phases of the Burns Unit refurbishment have been completed, creating a modern, state-of-the-art facility that benefits thousands of children annually. A third phase is slated for completion by April 2026, funded through contributions from Smile Foundation, the Northern Cape Department of Health, and generous donors. Smile Foundation continues to play a crucial role in fundraising, ensuring world-class care reaches those who need it most.

Tshidi Chabane Xaba, Chief Operating Officer at Smile Foundation, captured the essence of the mission: "Every child we meet shows us what courage looks like. These families have waited and hoped through so much uncertainty. Thanks to SBS and the dedicated team at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, these children now step into their futures with dignity and confidence. Our mission is not just to restore smiles but to restore possibility."

Dr Giaquinto-Cilliers, who has been with RMSH since 2005, remains a pillar of dedication, committing her expertise to addressing the province's long waiting lists for reconstructive surgery. Alongside Dr Steyn and a skilled multidisciplinary team, she exemplifies the commitment to quality patient care for the Northern Cape population.

This Smile Week underscores the power of public-private partnerships in healthcare. By uniting hospitals, committed organisations, and caring partners, it opens doors to renewed hope and opportunities for families province-wide.

As Moira Gerszt, acting CEO of Smile Foundation, highlighted during a media briefing, this marks the 11th such collaboration, reinforcing the foundation's role in supporting RMSH's Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns.

For more information, contact Elle Velalis at 064 828 8690 or elle@smilefoundationsa.org.