Meet Baston, a carefree and talkative three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Since birth, Baston has lived with unilateral clubfoot, where his right foot is turned inward. He uses the lateral part of his foot to walk, which has affected his gait. “He will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age if untreated,” reports the staff at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Despite his condition, Baston likes to walk and run around with other children.”
Baston started clubfoot treatment when he was 18 months old. Unfortunately, the person in charge of the treatment left Baston’s village, and his family was unable to afford care at a different hospital. Baston’s mother cares for the children at home and owns a kiosk where she sells drinks, while his father farms peanuts and maize.
Baston will need to undergo further treatment to fix his clubfoot. Treatment will consist of stretching and manipulating the foot into the correct position, followed by casting, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. After four months, Baston will no longer use the lateral part of his foot to walk.
$1,160 will cover the cost of the treatment and four-month rehabilitation stay. “He will have better gait and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis,” AMHF explains.
“I love my little brother very much, we all do,” Baston’s older sister shared at their pre-operative interview. “I will be happy to see him able to walk like we do.”
