Our History

Founded in 2006, Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) joined Operation Smile, Inc. as its 25th partner country. Based in Cape Town, OSSA medical volunteers provide free surgeries to children and adults throughout Southern Africa, as well as educational and training opportunities that promote sustainability and self-sufficiency throughout the region.

OSSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Department of Health in South Africa, Swaziland and Madagascar.

In 2006, OSSA conducted its inaugural medical mission in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, where 98 children and young adults received free medical evaluations and 59 patients received free reconstructive surgery.

OSSA is the regional hub for Southern Africa and conducts medical missions outside the borders of South Africa. In November 2007, OSSA medical volunteers traveled to Madagascar and provided 135 children and adults with life-changing surgeries. This medical mission was followed by another in May 2008, where medical volunteers provided 211 children and adults with medical examinations and free surgeries. In March 2008, OSSA conducted a medical mission to Swaziland. The medical volunteer team provided surgery to 31 children and adults.

Operation Smile is authorized by the American Heart Association to function as a global and mobile International Training Organisation for Basic Life Support Training (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support Training (PALS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). OSSA has a long-term partnership with SharpMinds, a South African company that provides this training for free through volunteer AHA qualified instructors.

OSSA assists the National Department of Health in increasing the quality of care of its healthcare professionals by providing medical training and education to those working in rural hospitals. Through educational training, and donations of medical supplies from our corporate sponsors, OSSA strengthens the rural hospitals that host our medical missions.

Operation Smile provides care for children in 51 countries. 9 resource countries raise funds and provide medical volunteers, while 42 program countries receive education and training and conduct surgeries.

About Us

To donate by electronic transfer Account Name: Operation Smile SA
Bank: Nedbank Corporate Saver (NBS)
Account: 9012644654 Branch Code: 720026 Reference: depositor / reason for deposit
To donate by cheque deposit Account Name: Operation Smile SA
Bank: Nedbank Account: 1619000024 Branch Code: 161905 Reference: 9012644654

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