When Ruth, a 13-year-old Tanzanian teenager turned nine, her legs started to bend inwards. “At first her parents thought that it was because of the cold weather, but when the condition got worse, she was taken to the hospital and parents were advised to do corrective surgery,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
Ruth is in grade six and like geography, civics and Swahili subjects. She also enjoys playing netball with other students, even though ruth has not been able to run as fast she used to and complains of feeling pain on the knees. “Despite her condition and negative comments from her fellow pupils about her legs, Ruth is focused on her studies and is determined to finish school and continue with higher level of education,” adds AMHF. It’s Ruth’s dream to become a nurse when she grows up.
The most likely cause of Ruth’s knock-knees is the high fluoride ion concentration in parts of Tanzania’s drinking water. If left untreated, Ruth will be at high risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.
“Ruth’s parents are small scale farmers—they rely on growing and selling maize and beans,” says AMHF. “They work hard to take care of their six children as well as other extended family members.” Their income covers the family’s daily expenses, but is not enough for the surgery. With $940, Ruth will undergo surgery and physical therapy to correct her knees. After the operation, Ruth will be able to walk normally, without knocking her knees.