Words of Encouragement
Would you like to share a few words of encouragement to Hemen’s family? Simply email us at TheCrew@hopewalks.org. We will gather all the comments and share them with the country program staff, who will then pass them on to the family.
Hemen in Ethiopia – Update 1
We wanted to introduce you to a precious little girl named Hemen in Ethiopia. It’s children like her that your monthly gift helps support.
Hemen was born just a few weeks ago, and her parents were stunned to learn she was born with clubfoot. Life was already hard. Her dad, Mengesha, works day to day doing whatever jobs he can find, and her mom, Askale, is at home caring for Hemen and her older siblings—twins who are in first grade. When they realized their baby would need treatment, it felt like too much to carry.
Mengesha put it simply: “Worrying about feeding the children was one challenge, and affording her treatment was another.”
When they found out the treatment would be free, he said it felt unbelievable—and like a gift they never expected.
Because Hemen was born at the same hospital where clubfoot treatment is offered, her mom was referred straight from the maternity ward to the clinic. The family didn’t even know clubfoot could be treated. They’d only seen adults living with the condition and assumed that was Hemen’s future, too. Out of fear and stigma, they didn’t tell anyone about her diagnosis.
This family has already been through so much. They were forced to leave their home in northern Ethiopia because of conflict, walking away from everything just to keep their children safe. And yet, here they are—holding onto hope. Hemen’s dad still has fears about the casts and the process (as any parent would), but both parents believe this treatment will give their daughter the chance to grow up strong, walk freely, and dream just like her siblings.
I wanted you to know that this is the kind of story your support makes possible. Families moving from fear to hope. Parents breathing easier. And little girls like Hemen getting the chance at a future that once felt out of reach.
Thanks for walking this road with us. Truly.
(Above) Clinicians apply Hemen’s first cast. (Below) Hemen before treatment started on her unilateral clubfoot and then with her first cast to the right.
Clinicians work to apply a new cast to Hemen’s foot while her mother comforts her
Hemen in Ethiopia – Update 2
I wanted to check back in with you and share how little Hemen is doing now that she’s about a month into treatment—and honestly, it’s been really encouraging.
Hemen has been coming to the clinic every week with both of her parents, and her foot is already showing real progress. The first month wasn’t without its challenges. Her parents told us that learning how to care for the cast—especially removing it—was harder than they expected. And then there was the task of explaining the cast to Hemen’s older siblings, her twin brother and sister, who had lots of questions and worries of their own.
But despite all of that, something beautiful has been happening.
Askale, Hemen’s mom, shared, “We didn’t expect this much change in such a short time, and seeing her progress fills our hearts with joy.”
Watching her tiny foot change week by week has brought relief not just to her parents, but to her siblings too. They had quietly feared that Hemen might never walk like they do or go to school someday. Seeing her healing has eased those fears in a very real way.
One thing that stood out to me in this update is the role of the parent advisor. Hemen’s parents say they talk with him often—calling whenever they have questions or just need reassurance. They don’t see him as “staff” anymore; they see him as a friend. That relationship has made this whole process feel less scary and much more manageable.
While the early days of cast care were tough, the rest of the month has gone smoothly, and the family feels reassured that their daughter truly is on a path toward healing.
Thanks for continuing to walk alongside families like Hemen’s. These small updates may seem simple, but for this family, they mean everything.
