Operation Smile South Africa

Operation Smile South Africa Operation Smile, a non-profit volunteer medical organization that provides free reconstructive facial surgery for cleft lip and cleft palate patients.

In just 45 minutes, a life is made beautiful.

19/08/2026

Today, on World Photography Day, we celebrate the talent behind our images. 📸 At Operation Smile, we don't just capture images - we capture joy, humanity, and resilience.

Our photographer Zeke du Plessis on what he's chasing when he lifts the camera: "Emotion and action" - a parent and child at ease, kids laughing in Child Life, or the moment a mother sees her child for the first time after surgery. "A picture is worth a thousand words - a mother's reaction in PACU can carry her whole journey in one image." His takeaway: "It's a privilege to be one small piece of something that does so much good."

Behind every photo is a story worth telling. Thank you, Ten x Collective and Zeke du Plessis for showing the world the heart of Operation Smile. 💙

Got 5 minutes? You could help change a child's life.That's all it takes to support Operation Smile South Africa through ...
14/08/2026

Got 5 minutes? You could help change a child's life.

That's all it takes to support Operation Smile South Africa through MyDifference.

New to MyDifference?
Download the Woolworths app → sign up for MyDifference → select Operation Smile South Africa under Causes. Done.

Already supporting us?
Quick favour — open the app and double-check Operation Smile South Africa is still your chosen cause.

Every single person who picks us grows our community, raises awareness for children born with cleft conditions, and brings us one step closer to funding life-changing surgery and care.

No donation. No cost. Just a choice that creates more smiles.

👉 Download the Woolworths app today and choose Operation Smile South Africa under Causes.

International Youth Day | Young Leaders, Lasting Change 💙Today, on International Youth Day, we’re proud to share the sto...
12/08/2026

International Youth Day | Young Leaders, Lasting Change 💙

Today, on International Youth Day, we’re proud to share the stories of young people who are helping shape a future where every child has the opportunity to receive comprehensive cleft care, close to home.

Across the world, Operation Smile Student Programs are empowering the next generation of leaders to raise awareness, reduce stigma and help connect children and families with the care they need.

Meet three student volunteers whose different journeys have led them to a shared purpose - from a former Operation Smile patient in Kenya supporting children and families through their own cleft journeys, to a medical student leading community outreach and awareness initiatives, and a student volunteer from the United States discovering the value of learning alongside communities.

Their stories remind us that young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow - they are creating change today. 🌍

As Mercy Wanjiku Kuria shares:

“Students are uniquely positioned between knowledge and communities. We can translate medical information into something accessible, relatable and actionable.”

Together, these young leaders are helping expand access to comprehensive cleft care while building stronger, healthier communities around the world.

On International Youth Day, we celebrate their voices, their commitment and their belief that meaningful change starts with showing up, learning, connecting and taking action.

Read their stories: https://www.operationsmile.org/story/young-leaders-shaping-cleft-care/

This Women's Day, we're celebrating the hands that heal. 💛Across every Operation Smile South Africa programme, women sho...
09/08/2026

This Women's Day, we're celebrating the hands that heal. 💛

Across every Operation Smile South Africa programme, women show up as surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, speech therapists, dentists, psychologists, coordinators, caregivers and volunteers - giving their skills, time and hearts to children born with cleft conditions.

They witness the hardest moments: parents carrying guilt, fear and financial strain just to get their children help. And they witness the most profound ones too - the instant a parent sees their child's new smile for the first time, a mixture of disbelief, gratitude and overwhelming emotion that stays with everyone in the room.

It takes a team to change a child's future - and on our surgical programmes, that team is powered by extraordinary volunteers.

To every woman who has ever given her time, skill or support to this work: thank you. Because all children have the right to smile.

Leading up to Women's Day, we're celebrating the hands that heal.Since 2016, Dr Clare Neser has volunteered her skills a...
07/08/2026

Leading up to Women's Day, we're celebrating the hands that heal.

Since 2016, Dr Clare Neser has volunteered her skills as part of Operation Smile South Africa's surgical teams, giving children born with cleft lip and palate a chance at a brighter future.

"The transformation is remarkable," she says. "Seeing the immediate change in a child after surgery, and the relief and joy in the parents - it's incredible. It's difficult not to be moved by it."

For families, the journey is rarely easy. Many travel long distances, facing financial hardship and enormous emotional stress, just to get their children the care they need. "It is incredibly humbling," she reflects.

But surgery is only one part of the story. Behind every successful outcome is a full team — speech therapists, dentists, nurses, psychologists — working together, alongside local clinicians, to build care that lasts long after the mission ends.

One moment stays with her most: watching a parent see their child's face for the first time after surgery. "There is this mixture of disbelief, gratitude and overwhelming emotion. It's very difficult to describe."

Her message to the world is simple: "All children have the right to smile."

This Women's Day, we honour all women like Dr Neser — using their skills, time and hearts to change children's lives across the country.

This World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), Operation Smile is highlighting the importance of breastfeeding and the need...
05/08/2026

This World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), Operation Smile is highlighting the importance of breastfeeding and the need to support mothers, especially those caring for infants with cleft conditions.

For infants born with cleft conditions, breastfeeding can be especially challenging. That's why we work closely with health care providers to ensure access to breastfeeding education, safe expression guidance and alternative feeding support when needed. By addressing these challenges, we’re helping to give every child the chance to grow up healthy and happy, no matter where they're born.

Help us create more smiles with MyDifference!Supporting Operation Smile South Africa has never been easier.If you're new...
31/07/2026

Help us create more smiles with MyDifference!

Supporting Operation Smile South Africa has never been easier.

If you're new to MyDifference, simply download the Woolworths app, sign up for MyDifference, and select Operation Smile South Africa under Causes.

Already a MyDifference supporter? Please take a moment to check that Operation Smile South Africa is still selected as your chosen cause.

Every person who chooses Operation Smile helps us grow our community of supporters, raise awareness for children born with cleft conditions, and brings us one step closer to securing additional funding to provide life-changing surgery and comprehensive care.

It only takes a minute to make a lasting difference.

💙 Download the Woolworths app today and choose Operation Smile South Africa under Causes.

From 14–24 July, student leaders from more than 40 countries came together in Bangkok, Thailand, for Operation Smile's 3...
29/07/2026

From 14–24 July, student leaders from more than 40 countries came together in Bangkok, Thailand, for Operation Smile's 34th International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) 2026 – a week of leadership, learning, collaboration and global connection.
With the theme "The Time Is Now," students were challenged to lead with purpose, embrace opportunities, and discover how they can create lasting change for patients, their communities and the future of global health.

A huge congratulations to our two incredible South African student leaders who proudly represented Operation Smile South Africa at this year's conference. Thank you for being passionate ambassadors for our Student Programmes and for sharing your voices, ideas and commitment with the global Operation Smile family. We are so proud of you!

A heartfelt thank you to Align Technology, proud title sponsor of ISLC for the sixth consecutive year, and to everyone who made this inspiring experience possible. Together, we're empowering the next generation of compassionate leaders who will continue advancing Operation Smile's mission around the world.

Some of the most important work happens because people give their time. 💙To every volunteer who made the Mbombela surgic...
27/07/2026

Some of the most important work happens because people give their time. 💙

To every volunteer who made the Mbombela surgical cleft and dental programme possible, thank you. Thank you for your commitment, your teamwork and the care you showed every patient and family.

The difference you’ve made will be felt for years to come.

27/07/2026

Your incredible donation of dental consumables helped create healthier smiles. Thanks to your support of our Dental Programme, hundreds of children could benefit from our free dental programme. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.

Address

The Waverley Business Park, Unit 17/103/4. 5 Wyecroft Road
Cape Town
7395

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27214473608

Website

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