Tata Group hands over beautiful smiles to Operation Smile

In an effort to cover the costs of surgery to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities, and provide education and training on the deformity, the Tata Group has donated R100,000 to Operation Smile South Africa.

26 Feb 2015

Image credit: http://southafrica.operationsmile.org/

"Tata is honoured to be able to support the work of Operation Smile, which continues to change the lives of so many children in the most profound way," said Thami Mbele, MD of Tata in Africa.

Since 2006 more than 4,000 children have benefited from Operation Smile South Africa's work.

As a result of Tata's support, at least 18 children will be able to benefit from surgery at no cost to their families.

"Tata has supported Operation Smile in India for over five years and it is wonderful to see this relationship grow into the Southern African region and develop into a global partnership," said Operation Smile South Africa Regional Director Tamlin Abrahams.

In South Africa, Tata's community initiatives focus on three areas - education and skills development, entrepreneurship, and health. The group supports educational initiatives that empower beneficiaries, enable sustainable livelihoods and provide them with the possibility of becoming leaders across industries and in the government.

The donation was handed over to Operation Smile during a ceremony in Cape Town on Monday, 23 February, hosted by Taj Cape Town, part of the Tata Group.