George, Western Cape

Michyla Botha

A Mother's Nomination for My Daughter, Michyla Botha (Oelofse) It is with great love and hope that I nominate my daughter, Michyla Botha (Oelofse), for the opportunity to receive a smile makeover. From a very young age, Michyla has dreamed of having her teeth fixed. Unfortunately, both of my daughters inherited the same genetics that I did, leaving them with very short, damaged teeth. Sadly, neither of us has been in a financial position to afford the dental treatment we have always needed, and Michyla currently cannot afford medical aid. Michyla is 27 years old and the proud mother of a beautiful two-year-old little boy. Despite facing incredible challenges, she continues to put others before herself. She survived years in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship that slowly destroyed her confidence and made her feel unworthy. Through constant humiliation and emotional abuse, her self-esteem was broken down, yet somehow she never allowed her heart to become bitter. If there is one thing that defines Michyla, it is her kindness. She has the rare ability to see only the good in people, even when they have not always shown her the same kindness. She has a beautiful soul, a compassionate heart, and a genuine love for helping others. As a hairstylist in the beauty industry, Michyla spends every day making other people feel beautiful and confident. It has always touched my heart that while she dedicates herself to boosting the confidence of others, she has never had the opportunity to feel that same confidence in her own smile. A beautiful smile would mean so much more to Michyla than cosmetic improvement. It would help restore the confidence that was taken from her during some of the darkest years of her life. It would allow her to smile freely, laugh without covering her mouth, and finally see herself the way everyone else already sees her—a beautiful, caring, and remarkable young woman. As her mother, I wish I could give her this gift myself, but unfortunately I cannot even afford to fix my own teeth. That is why I am reaching out with the hope that someone else might be able to change her life in a way that I never could. When you meet Michyla, you will undoubtedly fall in love with her warm heart, gentle spirit, and genuine kindness. There is truly no one more deserving of a reason to smile with complete confidence. Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for considering my daughter for this life-changing opportunity. Kind regards, A Proud Mother