Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Rayan is a one-month-old baby boy from Tanzania who needs $935 to fund clubfoot repair surgery so that he can walk easily.

Rayan
29%
  • $277 raised, $658 to go
$277
raised
$658
to go
Dedicate my donation


We'll send your dedicatee an email
about your gift, along with updates
about Rayan's recovery.

January 16, 2023

Rayan is a one-month-old infant and the firstborn child in his family. He lives with his mother and her parents. His mother just completed her aviation diploma, but is currently unemployed. His father is also unemployed.

Rayan has clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape. This will cause him difficulty walking and even wearing shoes in the future.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Rayan receive treatment. He traveled to AMH’s care center where, on January 17th, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Now, Rayan and his family need help raising $935 to fund his procedure and care.

Rayan’s mother shared, “I am afraid my son won’t have a normal life in the future. I hope he gets the treatment that helps his condition.”

Rayan is a one-month-old infant and the firstborn child in his family. He lives with his mother and her parents. His mother just completed h...

Read more

Rayan's Timeline

  • January 16, 2023
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Rayan was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • January 17, 2023
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Rayan was scheduled to receive treatment at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) in Tanzania. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • January 19, 2023
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Rayan's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Rayan is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Rayan's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.

Funded by 11 donors

Funded by 11 donors

Treatment
Clubfoot
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $935 for Rayan's treatment
Hospital Fees
$693
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$8
Supplies
$175
Labs
$14
Other
$45
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The foot is turned inward, often severely, at the ankle, and the arch of the foot is very high. Patients experience discomfort, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

These children have a difficult time walking and running. Years of trying to walk on a clubfoot will cause wounds and other skeletal problems, such as arthritis. Patients will have difficulty fitting in shoes and participating in normal play, school, and daily activities. Many Africans make their livings through manual labor, which can be difficult with an untreated clubfoot.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Incidence is 1/1,000 live births, or about 1,600 cases in Tanzania annually. This is roughly similar to rates in Western countries, though many cases may be missed. There is no known reason for its occurrence in this region.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients will undergo a series of small operations, casting, and manipulations during their course of treatment. Patients will stay in the Plaster House, a rehabilitation center for children in Tanzania, for as long as their recovery takes.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The bones and joint will become aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Clubfoot is very treatable. The surgery is minor and not risky.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Care is not easily accessible. Most patients live in remote, rural areas and are identified through mobile outreach. The pediatric surgical program at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre was started to meet the large burden of pediatric disability in the region.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If not treated, the condition will persist and will result in disability.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Susana

A cheerful grandmother from Kenya, Susan is blessed with eight children. One of her sons died while he was still young, and the others got married moved away. She is a widow, and lives with her grandson who goes to a nearby primary school. Susana's children, like her, did not go beyond the primary level of their education. She lives in a semi-arid area of the county where they plant millet and sorghum as their main socio-economic activity. The area is affected by insecurity issues and bandits have affected their way of doing things. She took a long time to come to seek medical attention since her home area was not safe at that time. Susana recently fell while carrying firewood and sustained an injury to her left humerus. Susana came into the hospital with her arm splinted in the company of her daughter hoping to find the help she needs to return her normal life. Susana had an X-ray that showed that she had a fracture of the proximal humerus. The splint was removed during the examination, as she had developed a cast sore that got infected. It was thoroughly cleaned and dressed, and she was discharged home with antibiotics. Currently, Susana cannot lift or move her hand due to pain. The fracture is more than a month old and so she needs a complex procedure in order to align her broken bone, allowing her to heal quickly. Her economic status is challenging and she cannot afford to pay for her procedure. She is appealing for help from all well-wishers reading her story. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 21st, Susana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will help Susana to do activities by herself. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Susana says, "It’s really hard to depend on people in activities such as bathing. I am so disturbed when I see my children leave their houses for my sake. Kindly help me so that I may be able to depend on myself and for them to be able to work and provide for their families.”

7% funded

7%funded
$90raised
$1,055to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.