Milia is a 5-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the oldest of three children. He is a very active boy who enjoys making cars from wood and used bottles. He dreams of driving big trucks. Milia’s father is a pastoralist who depends on livestock for the family’s livelihood. Although life has been challenging, the family holds strong hopes for Milia’s future. They dream of seeing him walk comfortably, attend school, and grow with normal legs.
Milia was diagnosed with bilateral varus; both his legs were bending outward as he grew older. Several factors can cause this condition, including growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride 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. They believe that the corrective surgery will help straighten his legs and prevent long-term disability. His family is seeking support to give their child a healthy and active future.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Milia. The procedure is scheduled for January 19th at our medical partner’s care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Milia’s mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.
Milia’s father says, “Living off herding cattle is good for the village life, but when I learnt of the cost for his treatment, it got me worried that I won’t be able to afford the surgery, and he might end up living life with this deformity.”

