Madina is a lively three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the last-born child in a family of six children and lives with both her parents. From the moment you meet Madina, her joyful spirit is unmistakable. Her mother describes her as an enthusiastic and social child who interacts easily with other children and brings happiness to those around her. Madina loves playing with dolls and often imitates a classroom setting when playing with her dolls at home.
Madina was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition that has affected alignment of her legs, causing her to have knocked knees. The condition has made walking increasingly difficult for Madina. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. As Madina becomes more active, her parents have noticed that the condition is limiting her movement and causing her discomfort. They worry about how this will affect her ability to play, attend school and pursue her dreams. Madina requires a bilateral distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) surgery, which will help straighten her legs and allow her to grow and develop normally. However, her parents are unable to afford the cost of the procedure.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Madina, which is scheduled to take place on January 12th at our medical partner’s care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Madina’s mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications.
Madina’s father says, “We are hopeful that through this treatment, Madina will be able to walk, play and learn without pain, giving her a fair chance to enjoy her childhood.”

