By Libby Durnwald, Education Program Coordinator 

What would it be like if you couldn't kick a soccer ball, run as fast as your friends or do the typical things a 5-year-old boy likes to do?

Fred, a 5-year-old boy from Rwinkwavu, Rwanda, was born with an extra toe protruding bilaterally from the inside part of his feet. Not only did this extra appendage cause him discomfort, but it also lessened his ability to partake in fun and play with other children in his village.

Fred's mother brought him to Operation Smile for a medical evaluation, and our team agreed that he would be a great candidate for surgery during this program in Rwanda. Most children Fred's age show signs of fear and distress in the operating room. Many of these children, they have never seen a doctor before, so walking into an operating room can be a strange thing. But not for Fred. His courage and calm attitude before, during, and after the procedure was most impressive.

During rounds to discharge patients, one of our volunteer surgeons, Dr. Steve Naum, brought a soccer ball to give Fred. The look in Fred's eyes said it all. Not only was he pleased with his new soccer ball, but his deeper joy was in knowing his feet would soon be healed and he would be out running in the red dirt roads with all his friends.

Fred's grin was infectious and his mom stood proudly watching the exchange between Fred and Dr. Naum with tears streaking her cheeks. Moving forward her son would have a normal childhood of any rambunctious and adventuresome young boy.

Fred's surgery was possible due to Operation Smile's surgical rotation program in Rwinkwavu, Rwanda. The goal of the program is not only to provide safe surgery, but also to help educate the general surgeon residents of Rwanda in plastic surgery. The country of Rwanda has only two plastic surgeons, which is inadequate to meet the needs of safe surgical care for its millions of people. We our proud of our team of educators who are helping to build a stronger surgical future here in Rwanda.