Ally is a thirteen-year-old boy and the youngest of eleven children to his parents, who are small scale farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania. Ally was burnt in a cooking fire when he was very small - he cannot recollect what age he was exactly. Ally’s parents have not sought out treatment for him previously because they have been fearful of the cost.
Ally’s elbow, hand, wrist, and fingers have all been affected by the burns he suffered. He is only in the first class at school because of limited arm and hand function. Ally was identified through the Plaster House (a Watsi partner center) outreach program and referred to Arusha for care of his burnt arm and hand.
Ally needs surgery to have contracture (skin tightening) release and skin grafts. This surgery and subsequent rehabilitation will return a lot of functional movement to his arm and hand.
Ally shared, “When I grow up I would like to be a teacher of nursery school, I am happy that I will be able to use my arm.”