Upendo is a polite, thirteen-year-old girl from Tanzania. She was born premature and she used to get sick every now and then, something which forced her to receive many injections, which are believed to have resulted in the deformity of her right foot.
Upendo is currently in class three. Despite being difficult for her to walk, she still walks to school and works hard in class. She likes all the subjects, but especially English, Swahili, and History subjects. She also enjoys drawing. She likes to watch the other students play but she is unable to participate because she is unable to walk or run fast.
Upendo’s parents are small scale farmers and they also keep a few livestock. With six children to look after and five of them going to school, the cost of treatment, which Upendo needs, is just too high for them to afford.
For $1,160, Upendo will receive the clubfoot treatment she needs so that she can walk properly and have the ability to interact with other children, as well as be able to wear shoes.
“I would like to become a secondary school teacher when I grow up,” shares Upendo.