“This is a completely unique situation for us,” says Smile Foundation operations executive director Moira Gerszt. “We have never before had identical twins suffering from the same condition and both requiring surgery.”

Sixteen-month-old sisters, Hope and Blessing Mofokeng, have craniosynostosis, or the premature closure of the cranial sutures, which is in itself a rare congenital condition. The surgical team at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, led by Dr Frank Graewe and Dr Alexander Zuhlke, are confident that they can correct it. 

In addition to craniosynostosis, the girls also have sagittal suture synostosis, which is the premature closure of the sagittal suture that runs from the fontanelle towards the back of the head. This leads to a craniofacial deformity known as scaphocephaly.

Aside from surgical assistance, Smile Foundation has also provided psychological support for the family and helped with travel and accommodation costs, as the family has had to travel from Bethlehem, Free State in order for the girls to undergo their surgeries.

These life-changing operations are possible because of donations from the Clicks Helping Hand Trust, following a 2016 oral healthcare drive. Clicks donated R1 from every Clicks branded oral care item bought during the Oral Health month to the Smile Foundation.

“As a proudly South African company, we are committed to improving the lives of ordinary South Africans through a number of initiatives such as the Smile Foundation, which aims to put smiles on the faces of our country’s children,” says Helping Hand Trust manager Germinah Nyikana.

The Clicks Helping Hand Trust offers free clinic services through the network of Clicks clinics to disadvantaged South Africans who do not have medical aid and lack access to basic primary healthcare services.

The Trust is also active in local communities through the Girls on the Go campaign, and provides support to some of the 2.5 million girls in the country who miss school every month due to a lack of basic sanitary wear.

For more information, visit www.smilefoundationsa.org. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.