The World Health Organization estimates that there are approximately 60,000 new TB cases annually in Tanzania.
The number of children with spinal tuberculosis is unknown, but there are hundreds that need surgery. Additionally, after surgery the children need education as they will always be physically unable to perform labor-intensive jobs common in rural Africa. With your help, we can provide the children with this life sustaining treatment and provide a life children in East Africa can only imagine.
Currently, we have five children who have been selected by the doctors in Ghana as eligible for this surgery. Their priority is the highest, so as soon as we get the money raised, they will be on a plane to begin their new life.
Now, let's meet the kids.
Jamila
Jamila’s (10 years old) family first noticed a problem at 2 years of age. She went to a hospital that said they couldn’t help and sent her home. She has pain which interferes with her walking and her balance. She has not had any treatment since that first visit to the hospital.
Zainabu
Zainabu’s family first noticed a problem with her spine when she was 6 years old. They took her to the local hospital. The doctors gave her a back brace to wear and told her that as long as she wore the brace she would “grow straight.” Well, as you can tell by the pictures, she did not grow straight. After almost two years in the brace, they returned to the hospital and at that point, the doctors realized there was nothing they could do and told the family they should look outside of the country for help. That's where Stand Tall International comes in.
Zainabu is the only girl I’ve met whom actually dreams of being an accountant. In January, she started her senior year of high school. She has so many dreams for her future.