“I don’t know if my wish will ever come true, but I wish to become a pilot one day,” says 18-year-old Steven from Tanzania.
The second born of six children, Steven lives with his siblings and parents who work as small-scale farmers growing corn, beans and sunflowers. Although Steven completed his primary education, his parents couldn’t afford for him to continue with his secondary education. Now Steven works hard at a local garage helping fix motorcycles. He is saving the money he earns from the garage to go back to school.
Despite his determined spirit, Steven faces daily challenges caused by a medical condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, writes, “Steven was born with severe bilateral genu valgus and a bowing femur, an abnormal bone deformity of the tibia and femur which cause his legs to bow out. It is impossible for Steven to walk without knocking his knees. His gait is tremendously affected and the pain in his knees makes it difficult for him to accomplish his daily activities. Steven will develop early osteoarthritis if not treated.”
For $555, Steven will receive a bilateral distal femoral osteotomy, a procedure that cuts through the femur to correct its relationship to the hips. Currently the money Steven’s parents make isn’t enough to support the family and the cost of surgery.
Let’s raise the funds to pay for Steven’s procedure and support his dream of becoming a pilot!