Shaloni holds Joanna before treatment began on her unilateral clubfoot in Rwanda.
Words of Encouragement
Would you like to share a few words of encouragement to Joanna’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.
Joanna in Rwanda – Update 1
I wanted to introduce you to the newest member of The Clubfoot Crew family — a beautiful little girl named Joanna from Rwanda. She was born just seven weeks ago, on April 12, and she’s already started her clubfoot treatment journey.
Joanna is the first child born to Shaloni and Jean Claude, a young family doing their best to provide for their daughter. When Joanna was born, the midwives immediately recognized her clubfoot and referred the family to Inkurunziza Orthopedic Hospital in Kigali. By April 25, Joanna was already receiving treatment. That’s one of the things I love about what we’re seeing in Rwanda right now—children are being identified and connected to care faster than ever.
What’s especially moving to me is hearing about Joanna’s mom. During their first few clinic visits, she often cried. She had seen adults in her community living with untreated clubfoot and believed, like many people do, that nothing could be done. When Joanna was born with the condition, all she could picture was a lifetime of struggle for her daughter.
But something has started to change.
By their fourth clinic visit, after spending time with healthcare providers and a Parent Advisor who has walked this road before, Joanna’s mother began to understand the treatment process. The fear that once overwhelmed her is slowly being replaced by hope. She is beginning to believe that Joanna will walk, run, play, and live the life every parent dreams of for their child.
The family still faces challenges. Transportation costs aren’t easy, and they’ve heard discouraging comments from some people in their community who don’t understand clubfoot. But they’re staying committed. Every appointment attended, every cast applied, every conversation with another parent is helping them see a different future for their little girl.
What struck me most in this story is that Joanna’s journey is only a few weeks old, yet we’re already seeing the transformation that happens when treatment is paired with encouragement, education, and community. This family has gone from fear to hope in less than a month.
I’ll keep you updated as Joanna grows and progresses through treatment. For now, I thought you’d enjoy meeting the newest little walker whose journey you’re helping make possible.
(Above) Parent Advisor Jean Claude talks Shaloni through the various stages of clubfoot treatment. (Below) Joanna in a cast on the left, with her feet progressing on the right.
Joanna in Rwanda – Update 2
I wanted to give you a quick update on Joanna in Rwanda.
She’s now about two months into treatment, and her family is already seeing such an incredible difference. The casts have been doing exactly what they’re supposed to do, and Joanna recently reached an important milestone in her journey: her tenotomy.
If you’re not familiar with that part of treatment, it’s a quick procedure that helps release the tight tendon in the heel so the foot can be fully corrected. It’s routine, but that didn’t make it any easier for Joanna’s mom.
She told us hearing Joanna cry during the procedure was one of the hardest moments she’s ever experienced. Like any mom, she wondered if her little girl would continue to be in pain for weeks afterward. Thankfully, their Parent Advisor, Jean Claude, was there to reassure her that the discomfort would be temporary and that Joanna was right on track. That encouragement made all the difference.
One of my favorite parts of this update is what’s happening outside the clinic. Family members and neighbors have been seeing photos of Joanna’s progress, and many who were skeptical at first are now amazed by how much her feet have changed. Some have even started asking questions to learn more about clubfoot treatment.
Thank you for being part of Joanna’s story. Your monthly support isn’t just changing her future—it’s giving her family hope and helping others in their community see what’s possible for children born with clubfoot.
(Above) Look at how good Joanna’s feet look! (Below) Updates on what to expect next from Parent Advisor Jean Claude.
Joanna in Rwanda – Update 3
Here is one last update on little Joanna in Rwanda—and this is a good one.
If you remember when we first met Joanna and her family, her parents weren’t sure what the future would hold. They didn’t know if her feet could really be corrected.
Well, take a look at where she is today below.
Joanna’s feet are now straight and corrected, and she’s moved into the bracing stage of treatment. Her mom was actually pretty nervous about the braces after watching Joanna go through her tenotomy. She expected another difficult adjustment. Instead, Joanna has taken to them really well and is comfortably wearing them day and night.
Her mom told our team something that stuck with me. She said that when their Parent Advisor, Jean Claude, first explained what treatment could do, they wondered if he was just trying to make them feel better. Now she says, “I can testify that everything he explained to us was true.”
That’s quite a journey—from wondering if treatment would work to dreaming about the day Joanna will walk, run and play without limitations.
(Above) Shaloni holds Joanna with her feet completely straight. You can see what her foot looked like at the beginning of the process before treatment started just a few months ago. (Bottom left) Joanna sporting her new braces that will maintain her foot correction. She will wear them for 23 hours a day for the first three months. (Bottom top right) Shaloni learns how to properly put the braces on Joanna. (Bottom lower right) One last education session with Parent Advisor Jean Claude to help the family get through the bracing stage.
