GQEBERHA-The Eastern Cape Department of Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth expressed her warm welcome for the return of the Vodacom Foundation Smile Week from 11-15 of September 2023, which aims to transform the lives of at least 30 youths in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Smile Week sponsored by Vodacom Foundation in collaboration with the Smile Foundation and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, will be held at the Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital this week.
MEC Meth commended the foundation for their continued dedication to helping those in need and emphasized the importance of partnerships and collaborations in making a difference. “We strongly believe in partnerships and collaborations and the foundation has been one of our most reliable partners over a number of years. We welcome all the doctors who have dedicated their time and skills to changing the lives of the young people who will benefit from this great partnership,” she said.
The Smile Week which commenced on September 11th, 2023, brings together surgeons, surgical teams and other medical professionals to perform reconstructive surgery on children whose families would not otherwise be able to afford it. This week-long initiative aims to provide life-altering surgeries to children in need.
Among the courageous young patients is 15 year old Richard Visagie, whose life took a tragic turn when he suffered electrical burns while playing with a kite in July 2020. The burns impacted 30% of his body, including his hands, scalp and upper body, leaving behind painful scars. Richard has undergone six surgeries to address the consequences of the burns and the dedicated medical team, led by Dr. NAME van der Walt, has been working tirelessly to alleviate his suffering.
The current focus of Richard’s treatment involves the use of a tissue expander, an innovative approach to expand healthy tissue and eventually excise the skin-grafted area. The goal is to enable Richard to once again have a scalp with the potential for hair growth, allowing him to regain a sense of self and overcome the challenges he faces at school.
The Smile Foundation expresses its profound gratitude to the Vodacom Foundation for their generous support, which enables them to extend their assistance to children in need. Marc Lubner, the co-founder & Executive Chairman of Smile Foundation, also expressed gratitude to the dedicated surgeons, medical experts, and support personnel at PE Provincial Hospital for their commitment to providing life-altering surgeries to children in the community.
“Smile Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Vodacom Foundation for their generous backing of this Smile Week. It is through the support of committed donors like them that we can extend our assistance to so many children in need.”
“We also wish to convey our profound appreciation to the devoted surgeons, medical experts, and support personnel at PE Provincial Hospital, who are generously dedicating their time to provide these children with the life-altering surgeries they require,” said Marc Lubner, the co-founder & Executive Chairman of Smile Foundation.
Richard’s story is a testament to his strength and resilience, and the Smile Foundation remains committed to supporting him on his path to recovery and renewal. The foundation believes in the power of empathy and unconditional love for others, which drives their Smile Weeks and motivates them to change destinies.
As the Smile Week continues, the community eagerly awaits the positive impact it will have on the lives of these brave young patients. Through the collaboration and dedication of various stakeholders, the Vodacom Foundation Smile Week is set to bring hope and transformation to Nelson Mandela Bay.
