The stories behind Smile Week at Tygerberg Hospital

THE Smile Foundation has once again brought hope, healing, and happiness to young patients during another successful Smile Week, which ran from to May 26 to 30 at Tygerberg Hospital.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

Thanks to the ongoing partnership with the Vodacom Foundation, and dedication of the Tygerberg surgical team, 13 children from underserved communities received life-changing reconstructive surgery — restoring not just appearances, but confidence and futures.

Among the inspirational stories this week is five-year-old Malachi Bell, a courageous little boy born with scaphocephaly, a rare condition where the skull fuses prematurely, resulting in a long and narrow head shape.

Beyond the visible differences, the condition can cause increased brain pressure and developmental complications.