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Success! Furahini from Tanzania raised $935 to fund clubfoot repair surgery.

Furahini
100%
  • $935 raised, $0 to go
$935
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Furahini's treatment was fully funded on September 17, 2021.

Photo of Furahini post-operation

September 27, 2021

Furahini underwent clubfoot repair surgery and is excited to start school once she heals.

Furahini’s treatment is going well! She’ll continue treatment and afterwards will have a final surgery that will fully correct both of feet. Through this treatment, Furahini will resume school, which wasn’t possible before because of difficulty in walking.

Furahini’s grandmother says, “We now have a reason to be happy because my granddaughter is having her foot corrected and soon she will be free of disability. Thank you all.”

Furahini’s treatment is going well! She'll continue treatment and afterwards will have a final surgery that will fully correct both of feet....

Read more
August 10, 2021

Furahini is a five-year-old student from Tanzania and the oldest child in a family of three children. Furahini is hardworking, friendly, and social; she is currently in kindergarten and loves coloring in her free time. “Furahini” is a Swahili word that means “be happy”. Her grandmother suggested the name to her parents because even though they were worried about her birth condition, they were thankful for their firstborn child.

Furahini has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The condition causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes.

Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Furahini to receive treatment. She traveled to visit AMH’s care center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 10th. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Furahini’s procedure. After treatment, she will able to walk easily and wear shoes.

Her grandmother shared, “my granddaughter is struggling to walk thus she was sent to stay with me so that she does not have to walk long distances to school. If she is able to have her foot corrected she will go back to her family and enjoy living with her parents and siblings.”

Furahini is a five-year-old student from Tanzania and the oldest child in a family of three children. Furahini is hardworking, friendly, and...

Read more

Furahini's Timeline

  • August 10, 2021
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • August 10, 2021
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Furahini's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 24, 2021
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Furahini received 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.

  • September 17, 2021
    FULLY FUNDED

    Furahini's treatment was fully funded.

  • September 27, 2021
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Furahini's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 26 donors

Funded by 26 donors

Treatment
Clubfoot
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $935 for Furahini'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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.