(Left to right) You would never know, but Kevin (5), Kenny (3) adn Raphael (5) were all born with clubfoot in Rwanda. Today, these little boys are full of boundless energy running and playing because donors helped rewrite a happy ending for each of them.
Hope Walks Joins Global Effort for World Birth Defects Day — ‘Many Birth Defects, One Voice’
York Springs, PA – March 2, 2026 — Hope Walks, an international nonprofit dedicated to ending disability from treatable birth conditions, joins partners around the world to observe World Birth Defects Day, March 3, under the theme “Many Birth Defects, One Voice.” This global movement seeks to raise awareness of congenital conditions, support families and promote access to care for all babies born with birth defects.
Every year, an estimated 8 million infants are born with a birth defect, regardless of where they live, their background, or their circumstance — and many of these conditions can be treated or prevented with early intervention.
Clubfoot — one of the most common birth defects — affects about 1 in every 700–1,000 babies worldwide. While the causes are not fully understood, the treatment is well established. Using the globally accepted Ponseti method of gentle manipulation, casting and bracing, clubfoot can be corrected, allowing children to walk, run and thrive.
Hope Walks has enrolled nearly 180,000 children in clubfoot treatment across 14 countries in Latin America and Africa, partnering with local clinics and health systems to ensure families can access care at no cost.
“Birth defects take many forms, but our voice for awareness and action must be singular and strong,” said Scott Reichenbach, President and Co-Founder of Hope Walks. “Through global collaboration and local care, we can help children born with treatable conditions — like clubfoot — realize their full potential.”
The Ponseti method, developed by Dr. Ignacio Ponseti in the mid-20th century, remains the gold standard for treating clubfoot. With early diagnosis and consistent care, most children achieve straight, functional feet within weeks and wear braces through early childhood to ensure long-lasting results.
World Birth Defects Day was first observed in 2015 to unite individuals and organizations worldwide in spreading awareness about birth defects, advocate for improved care and support, and reduce stigma. This year’s theme, “Many Birth Defects, One Voice,” underscores the shared commitment to support families and children affected by congenital conditions of all kinds.
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About Hope Walks: Hope Walks partners with more than 200 clinics in 14 Latin American and African countries. We pair quality clubfoot treatment with compassionate care from counselors (parent advisors), empowering local healthcare workers and educating parents and caregivers. Hope Walks is a 501 (c) (3) public charity with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency, Certified Transparent by Excellence in Giving, and accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Azael was born with clubfoot in Burkina Faso, but thanks to donor support, he now has straight feet to grow into.
Riady was born with clubfoot in Mozambique. His future looked bleak without donor support that provided free treatment to his family.