Catherine is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is very active, and she always has a big smile on her face. Catherine has not started school yet, and she lives with her parents in a rented house located in Eastern Tanzania. Catherine’s father is a vegetables vendor, selling mostly carrots at the marketplace, and her mother is a grain seller.
Catherine was diagnosed with acquired genu varus. Her legs are bent inward at the knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. The condition prevents her from playing and enrolling in school.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Catherine. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 23. Treatment will hopefully restore Catherine’s mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications.
Catherine’s mother says, “I will be very happy to see Catherine receiving treatment and enrolling in school.”