Every three minutes globally, a child is born with a cleft lip or palate. These children often face challenges in eating, speaking and socialising, according to Operation Smile SA.
Woolworths employees in the Limpopo border town are hoping to raise R900 a month for the nongovernmental organisation Operation Smile South Africa.
Operation Smile South Africa provides corrective surgeries for children born with cleft palates and other facial deformities across Africa.
With donation boxes at the tills and near the store entrance, the staff of 15 people said they are urging customers to help them put a smile on a child’s face.
“When (customers) are about to leave the shop, we politely approach them and ask if they have some moments so that we can explain to them about the needs of those children,” says Munaka Mungulwa, a sales floor assistant at the shop.
Mungulwa adds the staff has come up with fun ways to draw attention to their cause.
“Some of our male staff members wear women’s skirts, wigs, and make-up and lip-stick,” Mungulwa told OurHealth. “Female staff members wear overalls and men’s jackets in order to attract customers’ attention.”
Woolworths employee Julia Sikalo says the gimmicks, which are usually reserved for the weekend, are working.
“Once (customers) ask why are dressed like this, we start to explain and many of them donate willingly,” she added.
Pay point co-ordinator Cry Siphalale says the team has managed to surpass its monthly target.
“We also feel great that we are doing something to make sure that those affected children get a smile on their faces,” Siphalale told OurHealth.
