Neema is a shy 13-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the third child in a family of five children. “Her parents are small-scale farmers trying their best to raise five children. They need financial support so that their daughter can get corrective surgery which she badly needs,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us.
Neema has a condition called right genu valgus, which causes her to knock her knees when walking or running. This is very painful for Neema.
AMHF informs us that Neema was in primary school, about to finish the fourth grade, when she developed her condition. Her condition made it impossible for Neema to walk to school as fast as she needed to and she would fall down if she tried to run. Neema started being late to school. Her class attendance become poor and eventually her head master discontinued her from attending school until she received proper medical attention.
Neema used to enjoy art classes and playing rede (a local ball game) with other students. “One day I hope to become a primary school teacher,” says Neema.
For $940, Neema will be provided with the corrective surgery that she needs. AMHF predicts, “Neema will be able to walk without knocking her knees and often falling down. She will be able to walk to school and continue with her education with decreased risk of developing early osteoarthritis.” Let’s work together and give Neema the opportunity to go back to school!