Sea Point Primary pupils support Operation Smile

Sea Point Primary School is making a difference one bottle cap at a time by supporting Operation Smile with its “Recycling for Smiles” programme.

Pupils have joined the campaign that blends environmental responsibility with life-changing medical care by collecting plastic bottle caps, which are then swapped for cash by recycling companies. This money is then used to fund vital cleft lip and cleft palate operations for children in need.

Sarah Scarth, Operation Smile South Africa executive director, said with an average surgery costing R5 500, each kilogram of recycled plastic bottle caps contributes R2 to the cause.

“This initiative has a dual benefit of raising funds for essential cleft surgeries and care and supporting eco-friendly behaviours, so important for protecting our planet. This year Operation Smile will provide essential surgeries for around 100 children with clefts,” she said.

Sea Point Primary librarian, Catherine Dean, led the project and said the pupils were eager to contribute.

“It’s the only recycling we’re doing and we have collected bottle caps throughout the year, and some of them collected hundreds, if not thousands of bottle caps. Operation Smile gave them a talk so they are aware ofwhy they are collecting the bottle caps,” said Ms Dean.

Grade 5 pupil, Enhle Phera, said he is happy to collect the bottle caps.

“They are a good organisation that’s raising funds for children that have to go for cleft palate surgery,” he said.

Grade 6 pupil, Elricia Lottering, said she was inspired to collect bottle caps to help children that needed cleft palate surgery.

“I feel good to be able to help other children. I know that there are kids that need this and I’m grateful that I can help,” she said.