Helena is walking (well, in the pool with a noodle at least)

Helena walking in the pool at the international school.

Four months after her surgeries, Helena is walking.  Well, sort of.  We have been doing some amateur physical therapy at the pool at Isamillo International School (because that is the only option).  It took a little while for her to get used to the water, and since her bone is still healing slowly she was very hesitant, but now she is much more excited and has even walked the length of the pool while floating on a noodle.  Now we are going to the pool at least four days a week and would go more if Helena had her way!

Thanks for your prayers and stay tuned!   

As many of you know, Huruma Special Unit was founded by Bertha Haas in 2004. The school serves around 40 students with disabilities in Mwanza, Tanzania who otherwise would not go to school at all!

Currently the school has funds to remain open for two more months. We need to raise additional funds to keep the school open for at least another year while we continue to find local support from the community and government.

If you'd like to help, you can donate at https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/MaryknollLayMissioners/OnlineDonation.html 

or

http://www.gofundme.com/48q5i4

Both sites will allow you to make a tax deductible donation.  

Thanks for your support!

Helena got her casts off with some help from Aaron Storey

After two months with full length leg casts, Helena finally was cleared to have them removed today!

Dr. Isidore (who is coming to a conference in Richland WA next week), prescribed a leg splint but none were available.  So, Highline Community Hospital's ER tech Aaron Storey made one out of the materials he could find.  Helena was happy, mom was happy and things are progressing along well.  

Our next step is getting some biphosphonates to strengthen her bones.  We are working with a group called Join Hands Tanzania out of Dar Es Salaam and hope to see some progress soon.

Saturday we are going swimming and starting physical therapy.  Thanks again Aaron!