Lewis is an energetic boy from Tanzania. He is living under the loving care of his grandmother and aunt. When he was just two years old, his mother passed away, leaving him in the hands of the two women who now pour all their love and strength into raising him. Despite the challenges he faces, Lewis has a joyful spirit that stands out wherever he goes. He loves spending his afternoons playing football with the neighborhood children. His dream is to one day become like Pacome, a player on the famous YANGA Football Club, strong, skilled, and admired. Each time Lewis kicks a ball, he imagines himself scoring a goal in a packed stadium.
However, Lewis was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. At his age, when most children are active and carefree, Lewis often becomes frustrated because his legs can’t keep up with his dreams. His grandmother has watched him fall behind physically, and her biggest wish is to see him run freely like any other child his age.
Life at home is humble. Lewis and his grandmother spend much of their time tending to a small green garden behind their house, one of the few sources of food and income the family relies on. Even in the garden, Lewis tries to help, carrying small watering cans or chasing birds away from the crops.
Fortunately, Lewis’s family traveled to visit our medical partner’s care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on November 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Lewis’s clubfoot repair. After treatment and with the proper intervention, he will finally be able to stand, walk, and run without pain.
Lewis’s aunt says, “I hope Lewis’s leg will be okay, so that he can enjoy his childhood.”