IN CONVERSATION WITH MOIRA GERSZT (CEO of the smile foundfation)
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Every child deserves the chance to smile with confidence. But for many children born with cleft lip or cleft palate, something as simple as a smile or a meal can be a daily struggle.
A cleft lip is a common congenital condition where a baby is born with an opening or split in the upper lip, which can sometimes extend to the nose. It occurs when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don’t close completely. A cleft palate involves a similar gap in the roof of the mouth. These conditions can affect feeding, hearing, speech development, and self-esteem — but they can be corrected through surgery.
The emotional and psychological effects of cleft conditions can weigh heavily on children and their families, especially when access to medical care is limited. That’s where organisations like the Smile Foundation South Africa come in.
For over two decades, the Smile Foundation has provided life-changing reconstructive surgery and psychological support to children with facial abnormalities, including cleft lip and palate, across South Africa. Their mission is simple but powerful: to restore dignity and possibility, one child at a time.
Join the Movement: Socks for Smiles 2025
This August, the Smile Foundation is launching the heartwarming Socks for Smiles campaign — and South Africa, they need you!
Their ambitious goal? To raise R2.5 million to fund life-changing surgeries for 100 children around the country.
A cleft lip is a common congenital condition where a baby is born with an opening or split in the upper lip, which can sometimes extend to the nose. It occurs when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don’t close completely. A cleft palate involves a similar gap in the roof of the mouth. These conditions can affect feeding, hearing, speech development, and self-esteem — but they can be corrected through surgery.
The emotional and psychological effects of cleft conditions can weigh heavily on children and their families, especially when access to medical care is limited. That’s where organisations like the Smile Foundation South Africa come in.
For over two decades, the Smile Foundation has provided life-changing reconstructive surgery and psychological support to children with facial abnormalities, including cleft lip and palate, across South Africa. Their mission is simple but powerful: to restore dignity and possibility, one child at a time.
Join the Movement: Socks for Smiles 2025
This August, the Smile Foundation is launching the heartwarming Socks for Smiles campaign — and South Africa, they need you!
Their ambitious goal? To raise R2.5 million to fund life-changing surgeries for 100 children around the country.