Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is wrapping up its sponsorship of the Smile Foundation’s Smile Week initiative at Frere Hospital in East London in the Eastern Cape this week.

Smile Week is geared to help bridge the gap between young patients – most with cleft lips and/or palates – whose families cannot otherwise afford specialised operations and the medical specialists who can assist them.

During the week, one of several taking place around the country between May 13 and June 13, approximately 25 children from previously disadvantaged backgrounds have undergone life-changing corrective surgery. Dr Chris van der Walt, who heads up the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, and his dedicated surgical team travelled to Frere Hospital to perform the surgeries.

One of the children is Zisuncumo (whose name means Bring a Smile), an eighteen-month-old boy from Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape, who was born with a cleft lip and palate.

Last year during Smile Week, Zisuncumo underwent the first phase of his corrective surgery, repairing the skin and muscles of his lip. The second phase of his surgery involves repair work to his palate.

“It is important to highlight that children born with such conditions are not only stigmatised throughout their lives because of their physical differences, they also encounter difficulties with breathing and eating, and may also face problems with speech development and other challenges,” Acsa said in a press release.

Acsa’s long-standing partnership with the Smile Foundation began in May 2011 as part of the company’s mandate to align its corporate social investment initiatives with sector-specific health issues.

“We are delighted to once again team up with the Smile Foundation to sponsor Smile Week during which surgeons, their surgical teams, and other medical professionals come together to perform reconstructive surgery on children with facial abnormalities and burn scars as well as ear, nose and hand conditions,” said Nicola Smith, Local Airport Manager at King Phalo Airport in East London.

Currently, Frere Hospital faces a shortage of plastic surgeons, causing a backlog of patients needing reconstructive procedures.

“We are truly honoured that our support for the Smile Foundation helps towards improving the physical appearance and the psychological well-being of children who ordinarily would be excluded from such interventions due to financial challenges,” Smith said.

 “Things are changing for the better and through the selfless dedication of the surgeons and medical support teams, the generosity of our incredible sponsor Acsa, and everyone who has ever offered their time and talent throughout Smile Weeks. Together we can help more underprivileged children, get the surgery they need to live brighter, more fulfilling lives,” concluded Tarri Parfitt, CEO of Smile Foundation.