Hospitals across Africa face similar challenges: limited resources, poverty, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. Yet, amid these difficulties, hope arose for Kimberly, a young girl with dislocated kneecaps, when she arrived at CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe (CURE Zimbabwe).
Life-Changing Surgery at CURE Zimbabwe
Kimberly’s journey to CURE Zimbabwe was filled with worry and a yearning for a brighter future. Because of her kneecaps, walking and standing up straight were constant struggles. She moved slowly, crouching, and relied on her mother, Bertha, to carry her long distances.
Since 2019, Bertha had tirelessly searched for treatment options, only to be met with no help. They visited several local hospitals, but due to limited resources and a lack of specialized care for Kimberly’s condition, they were repeatedly turned away. She constantly feared for Kimberly’s future.
Bertha hoped for the day her daughter could explore the world independently. While she managed in small spaces, Kimberly dreamed of running and playing with friends. Kimberly’s future would have many limitations if this condition remained untreated. Attending school, keeping up with friends, and even simple chores would be hurdles. It could even restrict her career options and independence later in life.
However, hope arrived when a local doctor, familiar with CURE Zimbabwe’s work, referred Kimberly to the hospital for treatment. She received surgery to reposition her kneecaps, allowing her legs to straighten for improved walking and, eventually, running! The best part: this was all done at no cost to her family, thanks to the support of CURE’s generous donors.
Physiotherapy: A Guiding Light
After surgery, Kimberly needed physiotherapy to learn how to walk on her newly straightened legs.
During her first outpatient session, she managed to walk a short distance with the support of bars. Physiotherapist Dominic, impressed with her progress, encouraged her to continue practicing her exercises at home.
These dedicated sessions—at home and during her check-ups at CURE Zimbabwe—took several weeks but helped Kimberly graduate from support bars. Though hesitant at first, she became more confident as her strength grew and she took her first independent steps. Through all this, Dominic walked beside Kimberly, his cheers the motivation she desperately needed to keep going.
Bertha was moved when she first saw her daughter’s remarkable progress. While Kimberly still struggled to bend her left knee at first, she eventually overcame that too, and CURE’s doctors were optimistic about her future.
Time went by, and as Kimberly gained confidence, she added soccer to the list of her favorite physiotherapy activities. As her legs grew stronger, so did her joy of kicking a ball. Once Kimberly was able to walk independently, Dominic proudly concluded her weekly physiotherapy sessions.
Gratitude and a Renewed Life
“Before CURE,” Kimberly’s grandmother shared, “I prayed endlessly for her healing. Now, God’s touch on her life is undeniable. We are all amazed by the healing God has brought about and how CURE Zimbabwe has helped my great-granddaughter.”
More than a year after her treatment, a team from CURE Zimbabwe visited Kimberly’s home and witnessed a vibrant transformation. Greeted by her family, including cousins and her great-grandmother, they saw firsthand the little girl who once struggled to walk a few meters now playfully running and interacting with them—a testament to the impact of surgery and physiotherapy. It was a heartwarming visit filled with laughter, games, and prayers for the entire family.
Physiotherapy’s subtle yet profound impact empowers patients to take their first steps after surgery. It motivates them during grueling exercises and guides them back to the activities they love.
At CURE Zimbabwe, physiotherapy goes beyond training muscles. Children like Kimberly, who battle limitations that threaten their mobility and confidence, find healing and rediscover themselves.
However, this transformative care wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of CURE’s countless partners. Their contributions enable CURE Zimbabwe to provide life-changing treatment, at no cost, to those who need it most. Every dollar donated signifies mobility regained, smiles restored, and a childhood rediscovered for another child under CURE’s care. You can donate here and help a child like Kimberly.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe
Established in April 2021, CURE Zimbabwe is the first and only hospital in the country of 14 million people to provide orthopedic care for disabilities such as clubfoot, bowed legs, and knock knees to children regardless of their economic status. The teaching hospital has 18 beds, three operating theaters, and an outpatient clinic. The hospital was refurbished by the Zimbabwe Orthopedic Trust in partnership with the Zimbabwean government and is located adjacent to United Bulawayo Hospital in Bulawayo.
