Christine is an 11-year-old Primary 3 student from South Sudan, but currently living with her parents at a refugee settlement in Uganda.
Christine was born with clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Before she was a year old, her parents took her to a hospital in South Sudan for a review, and after assessment, she was referred to a hospital in Uganda. The family traveled to Uganda where Christine received initial treatment, and the family went back home to South Sudan.
Christine was due for a review when war broke out in South Sudan in 2016. Her family lost their livelihood, including cows that her father had hoped would be sold to facilitate her treatment. Life became extremely difficult, and her family had to flee to Uganda where they became refugees.
Two years later, some Italian missionaries supported the family to take Christine to hospital for follow up treatment. A surgery was done, but unfortunately the missionaries left the country soon after, and it was difficult for Christine’s family to follow up with treatment. The hospital was also far way, and getting transportation was difficult.
About a year ago, the deputy head teacher at Christine’s school noticed her mobility challenges and supported her assessment at a nearby hospital. There, she was given elbow crutches which have been supporting her movement to and from school. Recently, the rehabilitation team from our medical partner, Hope Health Action, were alerted about her case. Christine was brought in for assessment and the team recommended further assessment by a surgeon at St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor.
At the hospital, Christine’s clubfoot diagnosis was confirmed and another surgery has been recommended on April 27th, to treat her condition, and help her walk better. Our medical partner, Hope Health Action, is requesting $1,072 to fund Christine’s clubfoot repair.
Christine says: “I will concentrate better in my studies after treatment, as I will not have difficulty in movement.”

