Smiling with a difference

I am a student currently studying in my second year and we were asked to recently join up wih an NGO of our choice and help them out where they need. This could range from press releases to organising events and creating awareness.  An NGO (Non-Governmental Institution) is a legally constituted organization that operates independently from government and so therefore does not receive any funds. These organizations maintain their status by not involving any government officials but rather they involve the social aspect and society and mainly receive funds from sponsorships and donations whilst one is donating to a good cause.

There is an NGO I want to make aware to the public that is operated worldwide, Operation Smile.

 Operation Smile is a mobilized force of medical professionals who provide safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. Many of these children are often unable to eat, speak or smile. Parents usually cannot afford to pay for their surgeries that these children need to live a normal life. This is where the international charity of Operation Smile comes in providing that much needed medical services around the world since 1982. The team consists of dedicated medical volunteers.

Money that the public donates to the cause goes to areas helping to pay for the surgery, allowing medical volunteers to visit those countries in need,

          train their health care professionals as well as build awareness and leadership.

                                                               (before and after)

Operation Smile is also involved here in South Africa. They stand for the same initiatives as the international and they need your help just as much. They are constantly looking for funds, medical volunteers as well as having community and student programs available if anyone is wanting to get involved.

Since I started working with Operation Smile I can tell you, the staff there are out to make a difference. There are some exciting events in the pipeline that one must look out for and I want to encourage all to give some time and read up about this great cause.




You can find out more at
http://southafrica.operationsmile.org/.

You as a reader can also make a difference by creating awareness and telling people about Operation Smile. You can also help by donating things to the “smile kits”. Things include toothbrushes, pens, soft toys and stickers-the list is endless.

If you are wanting to help in any way, you can contact Leigh Newlands (me):

Cell: 072 595 6596

Email: leighnewlands@live.co.za

Address: Operation Smile, 7^th floor. The Pinnacle building, Cnr of Strand and Burg st, Cape Town.

“We need you. Our children need you”



hello world*

so i've been slacking again in the blogging scene...

i know.

[i want to go crazy with paint]

BUT really, i don't have time to sit and do a blog post.

i feel like they need as much time when i do get a chance to blog,

so i'd rather wait for the right time.

so what's been happening since? ah

still have a crazy workload. hopefully i'm working for Operation Smile

 in my chosen NGO.

meeting sometime in the next 2 weeks.

have 2 promotions this weekend to do for the Absa Cape Epic-crazy cycling event.

valentines day was on monday.

didn't think much of it cause it didn't concern me.

actually forgot about it during the day.

but then i came home to 2 bunches of roses and a card. did it put a smile on my face? yes.

am i annoyed that i don't know who it is? yes.

i guess we'll have to see if he reveals himself.

tuesday, we had a spontaneous trip at 8pm to stellies

with ilsa and katelyn. thee best sushi ever-i can't even remember the name.

but it was great.

[love misty walks]

friday we spent the night at ilsa.

and went to claremont.

and had one hunters... and even that was deadly.

BUT it was wonderful.

and i met a british boy (and yes chaz, he really was british, he didn't just put on an accent).

and the rest of the weekend?

one of thinking, wishing and working.

today i tackled sociology.

wow but that was far from fun!

 i've never experienced such confusion in my life.

damn wikipedia did not help me AT all.

tonight i'm smiling. i don't know why :)

have a wonderful week filled with jellytots my friends.

[i'm ready to go away with you. i'm opening a savings account soon]

because i said so...

So this is my last blog post for the day.

I was told by vicki that I need to post more often.

Friend, have you seen our workload? And I can’t say you’re posting everyday either…

Alas, this is dedicated to vicki because… it was her birthday on Monday.

And I bought her a badge. she wouldn’t wear it.

And she turned 20…oh no sorry, 19.

                                              Still youthful. It’s great. You should hold onto that.

This week I learnt how much work to expect from this year.

It’s a huge change from varisty college but I’m going to stick it out and take up this challenge.

I’m rather excited. I must go research some NGO’s now and choose one for PR.

In other news, my jaw hurts somewhat.

 Ugh it’s annoying. And I have to write a “journal” for media every day.

About my day.

the reason I never keep one is because I lose track of time or I forget about it.

Now I HAVE to write in one.

As much as I appreciate these hot summer days, it gets a bit much when you have a car with no aircon.

Dear sunshine, I think you need to take a break. Go have some rest.

I’ve also decided that I really really like the orthapedic ward at Vincent pallotti hospital

and so if I never make it as a public relations practitioner,

 I’m going to be an orthapedic surgeon.

I hate so many options in life though.

Especially when they’re all so good.

(i want to sit like this all day and not have to worry)

And I’m getting new glee episodes later.

I know vicki and chaz will be thrilled to hear this!

And everyone should go to food lovers market in town once in their life.

And if you’re there, let me know.

I apparently eat so much for such a little person according to vicki.

(how GREAT is he?)

I know this hasn’t been the most exciting of posts

 but when I have something serious on my mind, maybe I’ll share it with you all but for now,

I’m off to email some NGO’s and do part-time accounting.

Let’s go on a roadtrip?

when i am old, i shall wear purple...

Youth has no age.

On Sunday it was my gran’s 92^nd birthday and it was beautiful.

To live to an age like that is quite an achievement. She is still mobile and able to do most things. I envy her and hope to be like she is if I ever reach that age.

We went to this lovely restaurant in Stellenbosch (I think it’s my next place to go for my birthday).

And I had this chocolate nougat mousse with fresh berries. And it was more than delicious. really.

Andrea, you’d love it.

(eager smile)

Happy birthday gran. Thank you for all the shortbread you’ve ever made us.

i'll be in the sky

so saturday i go along to watch 3 of my friends skydive.

and risk losing all 3 friends at once.

but i didn't :)

what an amazing expereince though.

the adrenaline rush throught that 30 second fall.

even the suiting up beforehand gets bloods pumping and once you're

 in that dinky little plane, 10 000 feet in the air, there's no going back.

the instructor just jumps.

(chilled vibes as chazzie's man reads before
the jump and on the plane)

but you all did it.

and am so proud.

 and glad you're all still in my life :)

i was wary about such a fete but after watching the process

 of how it all goes, it is something i would do next-

i must just find another willing person.

funny how that..

"a tragic event brings people closer"

i always heard this quote but never really thought much of it until recently.

after a friend of mine was in hospital and nearly on her death bed it bought me closer to her and her mom all over again. and i tend to forget to let people know things so here i am,

letting you know.

i've known her since we were 8 and we've been through some crazy shit together yet after 4 years of drifting, there i was sitting and having supper with her this evening. and watching disney channel. and it was the only place i wanted to be. and i had to be there not because "you're her friend so you should be there" or "your mom is friends with her mom" but because she's my friend. and i love her and i wanted to be there.

"you'll be with me, wherever i go"

thank God for your recovery Kirst.

xxx    

those were the days.

since recently, i've become inspired.

not sure with what exactly. all i know is i'm ready for change. and i know people always say this but it's a new year and i have plans. recently an event took place which made me change my outlook on certain things in my life. at first it was annoying and messed with my mind because if this hadn't happened, i would've been happy with what i had but now i know, it's something i've always wanted and it's possible. and so i'm going for it this year. be ready :)

i just had to have a whole post to tell you that.