08/06/2026
Stitches, medals and smiles: Southern Suburbs volunteers help transform young lives
The volunteer-led Operation Smile South Africa programme coincides with the United Nations’ International Year of Volunteers in 2026, recognising the global impact of volunteerism.
While many people spent the past weekend (29-31 May) at home with family and friends, Rondebosch and Newlands residents Wanita Goodwin and Dean Dicks were in Johannesburg as part of a specialist team of 50 volunteers helping to deliver life-changing surgeries for 40 children with cleft conditions from Gauteng and surrounding provinces at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Both Goodwin, Head of Agency at a leading recruitment specialist, and Dicks, a furniture designer and manufacturer, have each participated in three Operation Smile programmes to date. They say one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is seeing caregivers and their children connect after surgery. Dicks adds that the camaraderie among volunteers is another reason he keeps coming back.
Beyond the three-day programme, Goodwin and Dicks continue to contribute to Operation Smile in other meaningful ways. Goodwin, a regular marathon runner, has also used the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon to raise funds for Operation Smile. She has integrated her love of knitting into the programme, using any available moments during the surgical weekend to knit squares for blankets that are later gifted to patients and has encouraged fellow volunteers to join her, turning it into a shared activity during downtime.
Dicks, also an avid runner, founded HAHA (Harfield Harriers Running Club) Bling for Bravery in 2017 - an initiative he uses to further support the cause. According to Dicks the initiative is dedicated to celebrating the courage of children facing surgery, treatment and recovery. To date the project has distributed more than 20,000 medals - repurposed from donated race finisher medals - along with books, teddy bears, clothing and stationery to young patients in South Africa, Morocco, Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.
“Surgery can be an intimidating experience, especially for children and comfort items help provide reassurance, familiarity and a sense of control on the day,” says Dicks. “The impact is often immediate and powerful: a single medal can bring joy, build confidence and recognise a child’s bravery in a meaningful way. These small tokens become lasting reminders of their strength and resilience long after they leave hospital.”
