Deborah Can Now Run: A Malawi Girl’s Journey from Clubfoot to Confidence

When Mphambano Chikadza and his wife Leonisa welcomed their firstborn child nine years ago, joy overflowed in their household. The couple, from the Chisepo Area Program (AP) under Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa District, named their baby girl Deborah Mphambano. As first-time parents, they ensured she never missed her under-five clinic visit, prioritizing her health and wellbeing.

However, just as Deborah turned one and began walking, her parents noticed something unusual with her legs. They thought it was rickets. 

"Her grandmother tried several home traditional remedies, including massaging her with maize husks and even placing her in a mortar to straighten her legs, but nothing worked," recalled her father, Chikadza.

Though the family gradually adapted to her condition, concern lingered. Deborah struggled to play with her peers and often returned home late from school because she couldn’t walk fast. This led her to isolate herself and losing confidence along the way.

Chikadza shared the despair they felt when repeated visits to various health facilities brought no improvement, despite assurances that prescribed pills would help straighten Deborah’s legs. Hope seemed to fade.

But as the Bible says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." That verse now resonates deeply with Deborah’s family. Their breakthrough came through World Vision Malawi (WVM), whose Able To Thrive project finally brought the help they needed.

Deborah was screened and assessed through the project, and it was discovered that she had clubfoot, a birth defect in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. She required major surgery at Beit Cure International Children’s Hospital in Blantyre.

This hospital performs life-changing reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries each year at no cost to patients. In addition, the hospital addresses the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities, aligning perfectly with the project's goal to empower children with disabilities and enable them to thrive in society.

“Late last year, we took Deborah to Beit Cure in Blantyre. World Vision covered all expenses. Her first leg was successfully operated on, and in March this year, the second operation was completed. Now, our daughter can run and do everything just like her peers.

Deborah who was always shy to mix with friends, says now she is able to run to school and even play with her peers. Her father narrates that WV Malawi changed her daughter life story.

“Honestly, without this project, we would not be here telling her story. As a family, we could not have afforded the cost of the surgeries as they are simply too expensive,” Chikadza joyfully shared. 

Deborah, who dreams of becoming a doctor, is now in Grade Four at Chisepo Primary School. She is currently awaiting her final medical review to assess her full recovery.

Jonathan Laisi, a Community Development Volunteer in the area, noted that Deborah is one of three beneficiaries of the Able To Thrive project in Chisepo. He emphasized his commitment to spreading awareness about the project so that more eligible children can benefit.

The Able To Thrive project aims to reach 4,300 children with disabilities in its first two years and an additional 5,700 in the following two years. It is being implemented in partnership with MANAD and service providers such as MAP, SandiThandiza, ABC Community Hospital, and Beit Cure.

The initiative also features Parent Support Groups, which empower families economically, through irrigation and poultry farming so they can sustain improved livelihoods and continue supporting their children’s development.