Smile Foundation remembers Mandela’s good deeds
HYDE PARK – Late and former president Nelson Mandela initiated Smile Foundation, and the staff members are still carrying the legacy of his humanity.
Mandela Day was marked as a day to keep the spirit of former and late president Nelson Mandela alive and this gives South Africans an opportunity to show kindness and humility to the needy.
On this day, 18 July, many will be contributing their 67 minutes in different ways. This also applies to the South African’s non-governmental organisation, the Smile Foundation.
“#Nutrition education can help young people attain the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy food choices and develop lifelong healthy eating patterns.
To help feed a little stomach, please visit https://t.co/BkpPvChYos pic.twitter.com/Z3HVbwdixK— Smile Foundation (@smilefoundation) July 18, 2018
The foundation does not wait for the declared date of Mandela Day, they give back all year round. For them, every day is Mandela Day.
Smile Foundation CEO Hedley Lewis told a story he remembers, when a lady sent monthly letters to Mandela, to help give her little one a smile.
“Thando was born with a condition known as Moebius syndrome which causes partial or complete facial paralysis. She had never been able to smile. Her mother, Thabile, began writing letters every month to former president Nelson Mandela, asking for assistance. One day, fate intervened and one of her letters found its way into Madiba’s personal mail. Touched by her plea, he sought to help this little girl, and contacted Marc Lubner who convinced well-renowned specialists to assist.”
Lewis gave light that at the time, there were no surgeons in South Africa with the surgical experience to perform such a complex procedure and Thando would need to travel to the United States to consult with specialists there. It soon became clear that sending one child overseas at a time was not a sustainable model.
“Thando received her life-changing surgery and the Smile Fund was born. As a result of exceptional growth and success, the organisation became a registered Section 21 company in 2007 and was relaunched as Smile Foundation,” explained Lewis.
Every year, the foundation commemorates the day with a soccer tournament showing unity and have one main goal, which is to positively transform children’s lives.
“For our foundation, it is important to continue the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela as well as his patronage of the foundation. The late president initiated communication with Marc Lubner. For me, Madiba Day is about South Africa uniting for one purpose and that is to uplift those in need. For the Smile Foundation, it is a day where families and corporates collaborate, mirroring the strategic partnerships with its aim to changes children’s lives.”
#Peace begins with a #smile!
– #MotherTeresa#WednesdayWisdom pic.twitter.com/5yqvAKawzu— Smile Foundation (@smilefoundation) July 18, 2018
Based in Hyde Park, the Smile Foundation’s core goal is to work hand-in-hand with academic hospitals around the country and put smiles onto the faces of children born with facial abnormalities like cleft lip and palate, as well as facial burns.
They are currently working with 11 hospitals and give qualified medical staff members further skills development training.
What will you be doing this Mandela Day? Let us know on koketsor@caxton.co.za.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/161792/smile-foundation-hosts-event/
