We want to celebrate our incredible partner, Hope and Healing International, whose support is helping children like Jalam walk toward brighter futures.
Jalam was born with bilateral clubfoot—the fifth person across three generations of his family to have the condition. His father, uncle, and grandmother grew up without treatment, living with pain, stigma, and exclusion.
But Jalam’s story took a different path.
Through Hope and Healing International’s partnership with Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Jalam received free treatment at Ngounso Baptist Hospital. Early intervention, the Ponseti method, and Iowa Braces donated by Clubfoot Solutions helped straighten his feet.
Now almost two years old, Jalam walks confidently.
“I couldn’t run. I didn’t have the chance to play football or even drive a car,” says his father, Innocent. “But now, my son will be able to do everything I couldn’t.”
We’re deeply grateful to Hope and Healing International for working alongside us to make life-changing care possible. Together, we’re breaking cycles of disability, restoring hope, and helping children take their first steps toward a future filled with possibility.
Jalam’s Story:
When little Jalam was born with bilateral clubfoot, the news devastated his family. He was the fifth member across three generations to be born with the condition. His father, Innocent, his uncle, and their mother had all grown up with untreated clubfoot – still living with pain, stigma, and social exclusion.
“We were all waiting for the baby with a lot of anticipation. But when he was born, we were worried and even ashamed to celebrate,” Innocent recalls.
“People in our community think we are bewitched because of this condition.”
But unlike previous generations, Jalam’s story would take a different turn. A doctor at the hospital directed the family to Ngounso Baptist Hospital, where treatment is made possible through a partnership between Hope and Healing
International and Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS). He even showed them before-and-after photos of other children whose feet had been corrected.
It was the first time the family realized there was hope.
The entire family – including Jalam’s parents, grandmother, uncles, and the doctor himself – travelled to Ngounso to begin treatment. Thanks to early intervention, support from generous donors, and donated Iowa Braces from Clubfoot Solutions, Jalam was placed into the Ponseti method protocol right away. With each appointment, his tiny feet straightened. With every casting, the stigma began to lift.
“We were so anxious at first, praying the treatment would work,” said his mother, Assana. “But with every visit, we saw improvement. The casts helped, and when they were removed, the feet were already looking straight. Then came the shoes, and with them, strength.”
Now almost two years old, Jalam walks confidently – something his father was never able to do.”I couldn’t run. I didn’t have the chance to play football or even drive a car. But now, my son will be able to do everything I couldn’t.”
Even more meaningful is the emotional healing this journey has brought.
Assana says they are no longer afraid to have more children, even if the baby is born with clubfoot – because now they know it’s treatable.
“Jalam’s treatment is a rescue for our family. Now everyone sees that he doesn’t have a problem. We are filled with joy. We’re thankful to those who made this possible.”
The Iowa Braces donated by Clubfoot Solutions are still in active use today, transforming lives like Jalam’s and breaking cycles of disability that once seemed inescapable.
“We didn’t have to pay anything,” Innocent says. “If we were asked to pay, we couldn’t have. Thank you to Hope and Healing, to the hospital, and to all who support this work. May God bless you and give you strength to continue.”
