“Pista is our only child with problems of the feet. It is our prayer that her feet can be straightened so that she can walk like other children and have the same opportunity to go to school and efficiently perform other activities,” Pista's parents tell us.
Meet Pista, an active and talkative five-year-old girl from Tanzania. Pista is the youngest in the family and “everybody loves her,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
“While at home, she has a special place which is her imaginary kitchen and where she prepares meals for her dolls,” AMHF continues. “Pista likes humming while ‘cooking’ and carrying her dolls on her back.”
Pista has bilateral clubfoot. As AMHF explains, “Pista walks by using the lateral aspect of her feet, which terribly affects her gait. If not treated, Pista will never be able to walk properly and chances of developing osteoarthritis at a young age will be high.”
Pista’s parents are small-scale farmers and work very hard to ensure their four children have the opportunity to attend school. However their earned income is not enough to cover all of their needs, as well as pay for the treatment Pista needs.
$1,160 will cover the entire cost of Pista’s treatment, from the surgery and hospital stay to her painkillers and physiotherapy.
Let’s help Pista access the healthcare she needs to grow up and lead a healthy life.