Hopefully, young Kananelo Mokoena (10) will one day lift his chin up and live life like other boys his age.
Kananelo was one of 27 children who received a life-changing operation as part of the biannual Smile Week from 2 to 7 September in Bloemfontein.
In an unprecedented collaboration, the Life Rosepark Hospital (in partnership with the Smile Foundation) brought together one surgeon and an anaesthetist to perform life-changing surgeries for five children born with cleft lips and cleft palates, all on a pro-bono basis.
This formed part of Smile Week at the Unversitas Academic Hospital where 22 children underwent surgeries from Monday, 2 September, and ended with five extra operations on Saturday, 7 September, at Life Rosepark.
These children have been facing a long waiting period due to a significant backlog in their local healthcare systems. Thanks to this innovative partnership, they now received specialised care.
Smile Foundation, renowned for its work in providing surgeries to children in need, is generously covering the costs of psychological support, speech therapy, transport, and care packs – ensuring that the children and their families are supported throughout their journey. In addition, the foundation will be providing goodie packs to bring a smile to the young patients’ faces.
This initiative is further reinforced by the corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment of Life Healthcare. The Life Rosepark Hospital is contributing significantly by offering theatre time, medical consumables, accommodation, and medical professionals to ensure the success of the surgeries.
Kananelo was just two-years-old when a pot of hot cooking oil scalded his skin, leaving his face and neck severely burned and his chin fused to his chest.
This prevents him from lifting his head and causes constant discomfort.
During this month’s Smile Week, the surgical team inserted two tissue expanders to stretch the skin and restore his movement.
His mother, Maletsatsi, works in Sasolburg and faces the dual burden of worry and financial strain. Each month, she travels from Sasolburg to Qwaqwa, where Kananelo lives with his grandmother. Together, they go to Bloemfontein for check-ups, a painful reminder of the day that altered their lives.
“Seeing Kananelo in pain after the accident breaks my heart. He’s scarred inside and out, and children tease him, making school unbearable. The tight scars around his mouth and neck cause him difficulty to speak. We are incredibly grateful to the Smile Foundation and the kind doctors who are giving him the chance to smile again,” she said.
Spearheaded by plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr Efraim van der Walt and Dr Shashi Argawal, this project represents a deep commitment to expanding healthcare access and providing life-changing medical care to children who need it most.
Tarri Parfitt, Smile Foundation’s chief executive officer (CEO), added, “The partnership with Life Rosepark is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose. These surgeries will not only transform the lives of the children, but also bring hope to their families. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and commitment of everyone involved.”
Hein Rossouw, hospital manager of Life Rosepark, says their hope is to create a sustainable model for future collaborations, expanding the reach of specialised medical care to even more children in need.
