KADIATOU’S DOUBLE BLESSING
Like Mums the world over, when her daughter was hurting M’Mahawa did all in her power to comfort her and make life that little bit easier. In the midst of so many other challenges in their lives, she helped Kadiatou take a step towards being like the other little girls and developed a unique way of putting shoes on her five-year-old daughter.
Yes see, Kadiatou was born with bilateral club foot — her little hands were twisted too. So Kadiatou’s mum would sit every day with her fragile daughter on her lap, tying sandals to the little girl’s feet with string and complicated knots so they wouldn’t slip right off Kadiatou’s tiny twisted feet.
Because there was no treatment available for her feet when she was born, now they were twisted almost beyond recognition. This condition meant Kadiatou walked on the top of her feet.
And that was so far beyond her family’s reach to fix. They desperately needed help with Kadiatou’s condition but had no idea where to find it. That’s where you come in!
Without the ability to wear shoes correctly, Kadiatou suffered from the extreme elements found in West Africa. She had constantly wet feet during the rainy season, and cracked and sore skin during the dry season. She was often in pain, but her heart hurt as well. You see, her condition also caused her to fall behind her friends.
‘She’s as energetic as her brothers and sisters but cannot do as much,’ her mother explains. ‘She cannot walk far without cutting herself.’
‘I HAVE PEACE ABOUT THE FUTURE. SHE WILL HAVE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES IN LIFE NOW THAT SHE WILL NOT BE AN OUTCAST.’
M’Mahawa saw an alert on her phone that explained Mercy Ships was offering free surgeries for conditions like Kadiatou’s. it seemed almost too good to be true.
Amazingly, just eight months after her first Mercy Ships appointment, Kadiatou could walk confidently and correctly on her feet. She is no longer fearful of being hurt with cuts and scrapes.
Kadiatou may not fully remember every aspect of her physical struggle and the reason for her surgery on the ship, but every day as she ties her shoelaces she will be reminded of the never-ending gift of healing that you helped deliver.
Thank you for remembering these families in desperate need. Your donation means the world to them!
