Elizabeth is a bright and active 8-year-old from Tanzania. She enjoys interacting with her friends and participating in school activities, but her medical condition makes it difficult for her to keep up with her peers. Elizabeth’s parents farm and fish to provide for their family, but their income is not enough to cover all their expenses and pay for Elizabeth’s treatment.
Elizabeth was diagnosed with severe bilateral genu varus, a condition in which her legs bow outward at the knees. Several factors can 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. For Elizabeth, she has difficulty walking as a result of this condition.
On February 11th, Elizabeth will undergo treatment to hopefully restore her mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $810 to fund this surgery.
Elizabeth’s mother said: “I hope my daughter gets better so that she is able to walk comfortably and enjoy going to school.”

