Steven is a bright 6-year-old from Tanzania. As the fifth child in a family of six, he is surrounded by siblings and a warm, loving home. Steven has already started his primary education, and he loves school, especially the reading sessions and interactive classroom activities where he gets to share his thoughts. He is full of confidence and does not shy away from expressing himself. Additionally, one of Steven’s favorite pastimes is playing football with his friends. His parents depend on seasonal farming and selling groceries, which has been enough to sustain the family’s basic needs but insufficient to afford specialized medical care.
Steven has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. For Steven, the condition makes it difficult not to fall or lose his balance when playing football with his friends. He also has difficulty running or walking comfortably for long periods.
Steven came to our medical partner’s center with his mother, who shared how they have been trying to seek treatment for him but have been limited by financial constraints. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on May 15th. After treatment, he will be able to play without falling and walk with ease. AMH is requesting $1,171 to fund Steven’s clubfoot repair.
Steven’s mother said, “I wish for my son to be able to wear shoes and walk comfortably because back home, we have to walk long distances either to look for firewood or fetch water and also, his daily walks to school will be more comfortable.”

