Our Work
The hope walks approach
We pair quality clubfoot treatment with compassionate care from clubfoot clinic parent advisors, all while empowering local healthcare workers and educating parents and caregivers.
As the largest Christian provider of clubfoot care, we also hope to take the same approach Jesus did: showing love by serving well, sharing the gospel through what we say and what we do.
What is Clubfoot?
Clubfoot is a deformity present at birth that twists the foot downward and inward, making walking difficult or impossible. While it cannot be prevented, it can be corrected using a relatively inexpensive treatment process called the Ponseti method.
Clubfoot Causes
We don?t know exactly what causes clubfoot, but we do know it?s not because of something the parents did. Unfortunately, in many of the places where we work, mothers are usually the first to be blamed for the condition. The blame comes from all angles?unconfessed sin, a curse, a character flaw, doing too much hard labor, or a variety of other local beliefs and traditions. Some of our most important work is spreading the word that clubfoot can?t be prevented, but it CAN be treated at one of our local partner clubfoot clinics at no cost to the family. ?
Clubfoot Treatment
Clubfoot can be treated! We adhere to treatment through the Ponseti method, the gold standard of clubfoot treatment. The initial process involves weekly casting for four to six to eight weeks and, in most cases, a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure to lengthen the Achilles tendon. After this, in the maintenance phase, children wear a foot abduction brace for 23 hours a day for three months, and then at night and nap time until the age of five. Children born with clubfoot can take their first steps on completely straight feet thanks to early intervention and to this relatively simple, cost-effective treatment method.
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Disability in Low Income Countries
Being born with a disability in a low- or middle-income country isn?t just a financial hardship, it?s a life-altering source of shame. You and your family will likely be seen as cursed. The mother of a child with clubfoot may be thrown out of her house or out of the community. The child may be abandoned or killed. Because of a different cultural understanding of the source of disability, there is very little grace offered to children and families who are dealing with disabilities?including something entirely treatable, like clubfoot.
Who we serve
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Clubfoot Transformations
Here are just a few examples of children who are walking free from clubfoot after receiving early treatment.
Kenneth & Kendrick
Before
After
Japhet
Before
After