“I can’t wait to get back to school,” Koluman says. “I will study very hard so I can someday go to university.”
This ambitious 14-year-old boy was born with genu valgus, a condition where the knees develop at a sharp inwards angle. There is a high occurrence of this disorder in Tanzania, Koluman’s home country, due to high fluoride levels in the water.
Koluman experiences pain and fatigue when playing or when walking long distances. His genu valgus also prevents him from helping his family of six around the house. This is especially sad for Koluman because his father died a few years ago, making it challenging for his mother to both keep the household in order and earn enough money to support her five children.
Koluman’s mother initially took him to another hospital for help, and he was treated. However, he did not receive proper follow-up, and his condition regressed again. The family was then advised to come to Plaster House, our medical partner’s care center, for surgery and appropriate aftercare. For $838, we can sponsor Koluman’s corrective operation on April 11, as well as his subsequent cast removal and a three-month stay at Plaster House to ensure that he recuperates safely this time.
Koluman’s doctors expect that after proper treatment and full recovery, Koluman’s legs will straighten, allowing him easy and pain-free mobility. He will then be able to walk, help his mother around the house, and pursue his dreams of attending university.