Kids to be gifted with new smiles

27 children will have new smiles when they receive reconstructive surgery at Cape Town's Tygerberg Hospital this week.

The Smile Foundation says this will take place during Vodacom Smile Week, which runs from 14 -18 November.

The children have facial conditions such as cleft lip and palate, cranio-facial conditions, ear conditions and burn wounds. The Foundation works to assist children in receiving reconstructive and corrective plastic surgery.

Smile Foundation's chief operations officer Moira Gerszt says in a press statement: "We are very excited that we will be able to share smiles with the children of the Western Cape."

Western Cape premier Helen Zille says: "We do not have enough money to provide care and assistance to people living with disabilities. The value Smile Week will bring to the lives of 27 children, who will be given the opportunity of a future with a higher self-esteem, a sense of dignity and most importantly, full and joyous smiles is truly immeasurable."

The Smile Foundation currently partners with seven state hospitals and has benefited 800 children thus far.

For more information, visit their website. To make a donation, SMS "Smile" to 38413. It's R10 an SMS.