Johannesburg - Ferini Dayal recalls the moment she was given a life-changing phone call by renowned organisation the Smile Foundation.
The non-profit organisation was in search of a new ambassador and had the Johannesburg-born doctor at the top of their list of candidates.
Dayal, a surgeon under the Charlotte Maxeke cluster working at Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston, says she didn’t think twice about aligning herself with one of the most renowned non-profit organisations in the country.
“Professor Elias Ndobe, who is currently the head of the department at Charlotte Maxeke for plastic surgery, is someone I work with.
“I received a call from the foundation asking me to be their ambassador, and it was the easiest yes I’ve ever given in my life,” says Dayal.
Dayal, who is also the reigning Miss International South Africa, says joining the Smile Foundation has been a dream come true.
“To be dubbed part of a foundation of renowned plastic surgeons, who tackle pertinent surgical problems in our world, and importantly a family of people part of making a difference, it’s a privilege.”
The foundation has helped thousands of disadvantaged children with facial abnormalities, such as cleft lip and palate, Moebius syndrome (facial paralysis) and burns, receive corrective plastic and reconstructive surgery.
They are based in 12 of South Africa’s leading hospitals, where they invest in development programmes and purchase much-needed medical equipment.
Dayal says with her passion for medicine and goal of being a plastic surgeon, working with children is the perfect combination of what the Smile Foundation does.
“They support plastic surgeons, families and children by providing a platform for those affected by surgical abnormalities to live a full life. I’ve grown and seen the need to provide more than my skills, but my knowledge and to inspire, to teach, to attain value in others, each with a new step of my career.
“Now I get to combine everything I love to make a difference for many children around our country, and I know that is where my passion lies.”
Dayal says she hopes to use her medical background to contribute to help disadvantaged children in the country.
“The Smile Foundation to date has helped over 4 000 children in restoring smiles, repairing cleft palates, resolving craniofacial surgical abnormalities, grafting of burns patients and giving life to families who had lost hope in looking for a solution to their child’s health.
“That’s what I’d like to achieve, to be part of an exponentially beautiful project that gives life, to create awareness through my process as a surgeon in each case, as a Miss International, and as a health advocate, and in turn keep growing with the Smile Foundation to expand its successes.”
Dayal says that while training for plastic surgery, one of the final rotations is to assist in Smile projects.
“It’s a dream to have been asked many years earlier than I expected, but an awakening too as to how the universe conspires for us to end up exactly where we are meant to, and I am so glad I can be of value to a foundation so close to my heart.”
She says her intention was to become a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, to work with women and children, and her association with the foundation has come full circle.
As the ambassador for the foundation, Dayal will be tasked with a number of roles.
“I will actively promote what Smile Foundation does for the country and our children, but more importantly to use my platform in both pageantry and as a medical doctor and surgeon to create awareness around surgical issues affecting our children that are helped by the foundation.”
She says the organisation plays a crucial role in the lives of thousands of children in the country.
“They work around the country with children who are victims of burns and assist in restoring functionality for these children to live a full life. It is exactly what we need in our country.”
Dayal says she hopes her influence as the reigning Miss International SA will help the Smile Foundation too.
“Miss International is a pageant that values authenticity, culture, philanthropy, and to be ambassadors of goodwill. I’m able to bring awareness to the foundation through what I advocate for, and highlight the importance of having foundations like this present.
“The foundation works on the basis of donations and the more people who are able to help, the more children will receive surgery. I hope to assist in being the link to globally expand what the Smile Foundation does.”
Dayal will also be heading off to Japan next month, aiming to become the first South African to ever win the coveted Miss International pageant.
“My heart is beaming with joy… I know that I’m putting my best self forward in all that I do and that I’m making myself and all my supporters who know my story so proud, and I truly hope as a result that the crown comes home to South Africa.”