Otete is a joyful 5-year-old and the fifth-born child in a family of five children. He is a cheerful, happy, and hardworking boy for his age. Otete is already taking part in helping at home with daily life activities, like taking their father’s cattle with his older siblings out for grazing around the village. He has not had the chance to enroll in school yet due to the condition of his right leg. Otete’s parents come from a pastoralist region where their major source of a living is livestock keeping.
Otete was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgum, or bow-leggedness. This condition causes his legs bow inward so that his knees touch. Bow-leggedness is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has pain after just a short distanced walk, and mornings can be a struggle. His parents shared that his legs are very painful when he tries to stand.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Otete. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Otete’s mobility, allowing him to return to some of his normal life activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.
Otete’s father shared, “We are concerned our son will not be able to walk by himself anymore if his legs are not set correctly. Please help our son as the cost is too high for us to afford.”