Hawanatu is five years old. She lives with her family in Sierra Leone, but came to our medical partner in Ghana to seek treatment for a condition called kyphosis, which causes an abnormal curve in her spine.
This curvature constricts the space Hawanatu's lungs have to expand, making it difficult for her to breathe deeply. Hawanatu's limited lung capacity impacts her ability to walk, or even sit up, for short amounts of time. Her condition made it so difficult for her to keep up with her classmates in school, that she was bullied to the point where she could no longer attend.
Hawanatu's parents are hopeful that their daughter will get better soon, but neither can afford her treatment. Her father works as a school teacher in Sierra Leone but is rarely paid.
For $1,500 we can pay for an operation to correct Hawanatu's spine. This surgery will alleviate the pressure on her lungs, make it possible for her to stand and walk on her own, and allow her to move about like the other children in her class. Let's give this sweet girl a shot at a normal and healthy life!