Success! Caleb from Kenya raised $1,286 to fund corrective surgery so he can walk more easily.

100%

$1,286 raised, $0 to go

$1,286

raised

to go

Caleb's story
Caleb's update

February 18, 2022

Caleb is a jovial and funny six-year-old student. Caleb’s mother shared that Caleb likes to play and is always happy both at school and at home. Caleb has a twin brother and one older sibling. Caleb’s mother takes care of their home and family while his father is a farmer.

Caleb has a clubfoot, a condition that causes his foot to be misshapen making it difficult for Caleb to walk and wear shoes. Surgeons at our medical partner’s care center, AIC Cure International Hospital will perform corrective surgery on March 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMF), is helping Caleb’s parents raise $1,286 to fund the procedure. After treatment, Caleb will be able to walk well, play with his friends at home and school, and continue with his studies without any interruption.

Caleb’s mother shared, “I would love to see my son walking like other children without difficulties. I would greatly appreciate any assistance.”

Caleb is a jovial and funny six-year-old student. Caleb's mother shared that Caleb likes to play and is always happy both at school and at h...

Photo of Caleb post-operation

June 28, 2022

Caleb underwent corrective surgery so he can walk more easily.

Caleb’s surgery was a success! Because of this procedure, Caleb will be able to walk well, play with his friends, and continue with his education.

His mother shared, “I would like to thank you for supporting the surgery of my son. May the almighty God continue to bless you.”

Caleb's surgery was a success! Because of this procedure, Caleb will be able to walk well, play with his friends, and continue with his educ...

February 18, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Caleb was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, SAFE Senior Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
March 3, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Caleb's profile was published to start raising funds.
March 14, 2022
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Caleb received treatment at AIC Cure International Hospital in Kenya. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
June 22, 2022
FULLY FUNDED
Caleb's treatment was fully funded.
June 28, 2022
TREATMENT UPDATE
Caleb's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 37 donors

Treatment

Clubfoot Correction

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,286 for Caleb's treatment

Hospital Fees

$273

Medical Staff

$313

Medication

$179

Supplies

$396

Labs

$37

Radiology

$27

Other

$61

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

The foot is turned inward, often severely, at the ankle, and the arch of the foot is very high. Patients experience discomfort, and the affected leg may be shorter and smaller than the other.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

These children have a difficult time walking and running. Years of trying to walk on a clubfoot will cause wounds and other skeletal problems, such as arthritis. Patients will have difficulty fitting in shoes and participating in normal play, school, and daily activities. Many Africans make their livings through manual labor, which can be difficult with an untreated clubfoot.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Incidence is 1/1,000 live births in Kenya. This is roughly similar to rates in Western countries, though many cases may be missed. There is no known reason for its occurrence in this region.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients will undergo a series of small operations, casting, and manipulations during their course of treatment.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The bones and joint will become aligned, and long-term disability will be prevented.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Clubfoot is very treatable. The surgery is minor and not risky.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Care is not easily accessible. AIC Cure International Hospital is one of the few pediatric orthopedic hospitals devoted to serving the physically disabled children of Kenya. Most parents bring their children from remote areas to seek treatment.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no alternatives. If not treated, the condition will persist and will result in disability.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Polina is a 65-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband, Reuben, engage in small-scale farming to support their family. For one year, Polina has been experiencing abdominal pain and other concerning symptoms. Despite being treated at several clinics, the symptoms persisted. This has caused her a lot of discomfort and has prevented her from farming due to the pain. She came to Rwibaale Health Center where an ultrasound found an endometrial cystic mass. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $253 to fund Polina's surgery. On March 1st, she will undergo surgery at Rwibaale Health Center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her symptoms. Polina says, "I will be able to move better and work after treatment.’’

Luz is a three-year-old girl from a mining town in central Bolivia. Her mother is a farmer and her father sadly passed away from a heart attack soon after she was born. Luz has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and dependent on an external oxygen tank. Fortunately, our medical partner, The International Cardiac Alliance can help. Luz is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 21st. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. Luz's mother says, "I am looking forward to my daughter being able to play normally and start preschool after her surgery!"

Naw Sha is a 33-year-old mother who lives with her husband, daughter, sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, and nephew in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, she fled to Thailand with her family in 2012 due to armed conflict. Currently, she and her sister-in-law are homemakers, while her daughter, nieces and nephew go to school in the refugee camp. Her husband and her brothers-in-law are day laborers. During her free time, Naw Sha enjoys cooking, spending time with her daughter, nieces and nephew, and teaching them Burmese. Naw Sha is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section (C-section) because of her high-risk pregnancy. By delivering with a C-section, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Sha undergo a C-Section on December 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Sha needs your support in raising money to fund her care. Naw Sha said, “In the future, if I had an opportunity, I would like to work with a health organization in the refugee camp as a nurse to earn more money to support my family."

Caleb's Timeline

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Funded by 37 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.