Stories of lives changed

Behind these activities are real stories of lives changed. Here is an example that illustrate the difference this work will make:

Story 1: Expanding Clubfoot Care in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Background: Throughout the DRC, thousands of babies born with clubfoot have few options for treatment, leaving families without hope and facing a future of lifelong disability for their children. Two high-need areas included the capital city of Kinshasa and Kasaï-Central Province.

Action: Building on the vision conceptualised through the RunFree2030 strategy to scale clubfoot service delivery through replication of our tried-and-true ‘ACCESS’ service delivery model, GCI partnered with Hope Walks and Heal Africa. These GCI members worked with local health authorities to scale their existing clubfoot programme located in eastern DRC, to these  new regions. They accomplished this by building upon lessons learned, implementing best practices and utilising resources widely available to the GCI network. This initiative—funded by a separate donor—focused on training healthcare providers, equipping clinics, subsidising treatment and integrating clubfoot care into the national health system.

Impact: Today, an additional three clinics are functioning in Kinshasa and Kasaï-Central Province, DRC. They are providing treatment, and 300 children from these regions began their journey to mobility. Their families report renewed optimism for their children’s future, and this partnership stands as a powerful example of the scale and impact that the RunFree framework helped us envision.

Kinshasa Region program Supervisor Ruth meeting with local authorities