Marko is a five-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the sixth born in a family of seven children. Marko is currently in kindergarten, where he loves going to school to learn and make new friends. Marko’s father is a farmer, and his mother is a laundry worker at a local clothing factory.
Marko was born with clubfoot (his left leg is turned inward, and upward making it hard and painful for him to walk). If not treated, Marko will continue to experience pain when walking and he will be subjected to stigma as he is growing up.
At the age of three months, Marko’s mother took him to a local hospital, where they did surgery for clubfoot and put cast on Marko’s leg. After taking the cast off, Marko’s leg was not straightened as expected, and his mother brought Marko back to the hospital. The hospital asked for more money to do casting and manipulation. However, Marko’s mother could not afford any further treatment so she returned home with her son. She then heard of treatment given at our medical partner’s care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), over the radio, so she decided to bring Marko in for treatment.
On September 15, Marko will begin treatment for his clubfoot. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Marko’s treatment. This will cover the full cost of treatment, including casts, surgery, therapy, labs, medication, doctor fees, and additional supplies. Marko’s mother is very “glad that [her] son will receive treatment” thanks to Watsi donors.