The story of Pius
Over the last while, we’ve shared stories that give a glimpse into the many facets of our healing journey.
We told the tale of treating Joseph – and, more than 10 years later, his two children too.
Mama P didn’t know what was wrong with her baby - until she came to Kafika House and learned we could heal his cleft lip and palate.
Vumi, who’s been with us since 2008, reflected on 17 years of Kafika House.
Dr Makanza, our orthopaedic surgeon, told us what it means to give children the futures they deserve.
Today is all about Pius.
He’s three years old, with legs severely bowed by skeletal fluorosis.
We met him on an outreach trip to his village, near Serengeti National Park. His family lives in an earthen hut. Livestock and chickens roamed the yard, and Pius played happily in the dirt as little boys do.
Nearly all of our patients come from just such a setting: a long, bumpy, costly journey to the nearest hospital, and a home environment ill suited to a child who’s just had surgery.
No running water, mud walls and floors, and an outdoor squat toilet – with all the love and care in the world, keeping wounds clean and trying to navigate with legs in plaster casts is simply impossible.
Dr Makanza corrected both Pius’s legs in a single surgery.
While on bed rest, he made friends with Sidai, Kelvin and Pisan, delighting in the simple joys of childhood as they healed together.
After four weeks, Pius started to walk in his casts: gait training taught him to use his legs anew. Soon, his casts were removed, and our team helped him step into full mobility.