Emmanuel in Zambia
Choolwe was only in ninth grade when she became pregnant with her first child, who was not born with clubfoot. Because she was still in school and had no one to watch her first child, Choolwe had to take the child to school with her. When her second child, Emmanuel, was born with clubfoot, Choolwe had dropped out of school. She had new burdens taking care of a child with a birth defect.
Many families suggested massaging her son’s feet in warm water. While this may feel good, it certainly is no treatment process to correct feet twisted by clubfoot. Thankfully, clinicians at Mumbwa General Hospital told her about treatment at the Hope Walks UTH partner clinic.
The clinic was very far away, and the public transportation was cost-prohibitive. This mom, whose primary income is from growing soybeans, somehow found enough money to get to the first appointment.
Once starting treatment, Choolwe learned more about clubfoot and the proper treatment. She even was blessed to receive financial support from Hope Walks donors to cover the cost of transportation. Choolwe could keep up with the regular casting appointments, knowing supporters had paid travel costs.
Today, Choolwe has new hope for her child’s future because she knows there are people to support her along the way.
