Say hello to Manjese, a sweet five-year-old girl who lives with her aunt in Tanzania. She’s shy, but eager to jump in and play silly games with other kids at school. Her aunt, a devoted nursery school teacher, supports Manjese on her own and treats her like her own daughter. “Even though Manjese has not come out of my womb, she is my daughter and I adore her,” her aunt says.
Manjese has trouble walking because of a deformity called bilateral genu varus. Both of her legs show progressive bowing, making it difficult for her to walk correctly. Doctors say if untreated, she may develop early osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis usually found in elderly patients.
The tibial osteotomy and serial casting Manjese needs will cost $555, and allow her to walk with ease and prevent early osteoarthritis . Her aunt tells us that she hopes to see Manjese walk to school with strong, healthy strides: “I feel blessed to have [Manjese] around and I would like to see her able to walk properly and continue to go to school like other children.” Let’s make sure little Manjese receives the treatment she needs!