Lopiro is a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania. His father is a livestock keeper who has two wives, which is common in their culture, and six children. Due to their remote location, Lopiro has been unable to attend school.
He has been living with thoracic kyphoscoliosis and bilateral genu valgus for the past five years, which has severely impacted his mobility and prevented him from participating in community activities. Bilateral genu valgus means that his legs bow inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, It is difficult for him to walk long distances and experiences considerable discomfort due to the abnormal gait he has developed.
Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery scheduled on June 27th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lopiro’s mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.
Lopiro says, “My legs have been causing me a lot of pain when I try to help at home. I hope this treatment will reduce the discomfort I feel when I walk.”