From Mercy Ships:
From the moment Abubakarr took his first steps, it was clear no shoe would ever fit his feet.
Running, jumping, and slipping on shoes are second nature for most children.
But for 6-year-old Abubakarr from Sierra Leone, these simple joys were out of reach because he was born with six toes on each foot.
But his spirit has never been confined by his condition.
He is sharp, playful, and exudes the natural confidence of a leader.
ABUBAKARR WAS LOVINGLY RAISED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT
Abubakarr comes from the northern town of Kabala, where he lived with his parents until his mother fell ill and sadly passed away.
He was just five years old when his grandmother Adama stepped in to raise him.
“He always hugs me when I get home,” she shared about her grandson’s loving nature.
His aunt, Muminatu, added with admiration: “Abubakarr is a smart kid, fun to be around, and welcoming. He has a good heart and he’s very friendly.”
Surrounded by love, Abubakarr’s vibrant personality has flourished.
Despite facing physical challenges since birth, the warmth and care from his family helped him grow into a boy full of hope and resilience.
Abubakarr in ship hospital — Mercy Ships.
ABUBAKARR WAS TEASED BECAUSE HE COULDN’T WEAR SHOES
For young Abubakarr, his inability to put on shoes were a painful reminder that he was different.
The sight of his friends lacing up their shoes often brought him to tears.
“When he sees them wearing shoes, he comes to me, crying,” Adama shared.
“He says: Grandma, look at all my classmates wearing shoes, but I can’t.’
She could see the burden he was carrying on his small shoulders.
“I wasn’t happy. He was different among his classmates, which led to some kids provoking him.”
“HIS FRIENDS WERE CALLING HIM NAMES”
At his school, black closed shoes were part of the uniform.
But for Abubakarr, this was out of the question.
His feet couldn’t squeeze into any regular pair.
“He could only wear sandals,” Muminatu explained.
“His friends were calling him names.”
ABUBAKARR ALSO STRUGGLED TO RUN
It wasn’t just the sandals that set him apart, Abubakarr struggled to run like the other kids.
“When he tries to run, his feet knock against each other and he falls,” Adama explained.
“Even during school sports, he would be eager to join in, but the moment he starts running, he trips and falls.”
To help him fit into footwear, his family got creative.
They bought foam shoes and carefully carved openings with a knife to make space for his extra toes.
Abubakarr after surgery – Mercy Ships
SIGN OF HOPE TO END THE RIDICULE
Muminatu couldn’t stand by any longer and watch her nephew be ridiculed.
Whenever someone called Abubakarr names or made cruel comments, she would jump to his defence, fueled by fierce love and a deep desire to protect him.
It was during one such confrontation that a new path opened.
“Someone called Abubakarr ‘fowl-foot’ and I got so angry, I confronted them,” Muminatu recalled.
“That’s when Binta (a neighbour) approached me and said: Mercy Ships is coming back. Take Abubakarr there.”
THE HOPE THAT MERCY SHIPS OFFERS CHILDREN LIKE ABUBAKARR
Binta spoke from experience.
Her 8-year-old daughter had received life-changing orthopedic surgery on board the ship Global Mercy during an earlier visit to Sierra Leone.
“I was happy to tell other people about Mercy Ships because of their good work for my child.”
Binta instantly connected with Abubakarr’s story.
“I was feeling sorry for him,” she said.
“I had a child that was having a problem, so I know how people were laughing and provoking my child.”
ABUBAKARR IS REGISTERED FOR SURGERY ABOARD THE GLOBAL MERCY
Encouraged by Binta’s testimony and determined to give Abubakarr a chance at a better future, Muminatu registered him for surgery.
This decision sparked new hope for the little boy who just wanted to wear shoes and run like the other kids.
On board the Global Mercy, Abubakarr was diagnosed with polydactyly — a congenital condition where a child is born with extra fingers or toes.
Volunteer Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tjeerd de Jong from the Netherlands explained that, in countries with advanced healthcare systems, cases like Abubakarr’s are typically corrected in early childhood.
He noted that in contrast, Sierra Leone has limited access to surgical care and “the availability of this care is very hard to find here.”
HOW THE OPERATION WOULD CHANGE SIX-YEAR-OLD’S LIFE
Without treatment, Dr. de Jong warned that the challenges Abubakarr already faced would likely persist.
“The toe would stay, but so would the stigma.”
“It would be hard for him to find friends or start a family if people don’t accept him.”
Wearing closed shoes would also remain nearly impossible for Abubakarr.
But with surgery, the outlook was much brighter.
“It will make a big difference,” Dr. de Jong shared.
“I expect him to be able to go back to school and wear normal shoes and, hopefully, find friends.”
Abubakarr ready to play football — Mercy Ships
ABUBAKARR UNDERGOES SURGERY
Finally, Abubakarr underwent a 90-minute operation that would change the course of his young life.
The significance of the procedure was not lost on his family.
“The first time they removed the bandages and I saw Abubakarr’s feet, I was so happy,” his aunt Muminatu beamed.
Abubakarr’s rehabilitation lasted two weeks and focused on helping him regain strength, balance, and mobility through targeted exercises and playful therapy sessions.
“Abubakarr did really well after surgery,” said Louise Matthews, a volunteer physical therapist from South Africa.
“We got to watch him take his first steps in what we call ‘Darko shoes’ — special boots we use for kids recovering from polydactyly surgeries.”
“His recovery just kept getting better.”
ABUBAKARR WEARS SHOES FOR THE FIRST TIME
On his discharge day, Abubakarr shared his excitement.
“I’m happy that I’m leaving today. When I get home, I will be helping my granny.”
Before he left the Global Mercy, the Communications team from Mercy Ships had one final surprise.
A brand-new pair of shoes, just for him!
“I received a new shoe today and I am happy,” Abubakarr proudly declared.
“This is my first time wearing a shoe.”
ABUBAKARR IS NOW PLAYING FOOTBALL
His grandmother Adama emotionally recalled his homecoming.
“The moment he spotted me, he came running and hugged me. And the first thing I looked at was his feet,” she rejoiced.
Today, Abubakarr is thriving.
“He runs, plays football with friends, and doesn’t fall anymore,” said Adama.
Looking ahead, Muminatu holds big dreams for her nephew.
“I want Abubakarr to become someone great. Someone others can look up to.”
NOBODY’S LAUGHING AT ABUBAKARR ANYMORE AS HIS LIFE HAS CHANGED FOREVER
And as for Abubakarr?
“I can go to school now and nobody will laugh at me,” he said with a big smile.
One short 90-minute procedure changed this 6-year-old’s life forever.
The post Christian Charity Changes Life Of Boy With 12 Toes appeared first on Vision Christian Media.