Steps Clubfoot Care has grown remarkably from the single success story that began everything almost two decades ago. The organisation is celebrating their achievements—from 19,000 clubfoot patients treated in their time to a dance campaign that grabbed the world’s attention with millions of plays:
South Africa (16 May 2024)— Steps Clubfoot Care, now nearing on two decades of impact, has made massive strides for the clubfoot community. What began in 2003 as a single story of hope when Karen Mara Moss’s son received successful treatment for his clubfoot overseas has become a multitude of hopeful tales for young South Africans everywhere.
The organisation not only introduced the Ponseti Method of clubfoot treatment to the country, but dedicated themselves to supporting clinics, patients and families—a mission that has now extended far beyond South Africa.
Considering that around 180,000 children are born with clubfoot annually around the world (with around 1 in 500 South African children being affected) the need for treatment resources and awareness often goes unnoticed. But, untreated clubfoot is a disability that can affect many realms of livelihood—from children being unable to walk, being shamed and becoming unable to access education and the economy, as Steps shares.
In 2023 alone, Steps climbed a mountain of accomplishment and was awarded the 2023 Best Rising NPO as a CSI award winner for good reason.
Here are Steps Top 5 Achievements for 2023!
The I am Possible #StepItUp Campaign was a dancing success
South African legends like dancer Musa Motha and Paralympic Games record holder Mpumelelo Mhlongo joined forces to bring the #StepItUp challenge to life as a way to raise funds and spread awareness about clubfoot on social media. It received 2.9 million plays on TikTok!
There was a 13% Increase in Patient Visits and Enrolments
An uptake in patient visits and enrolments meant that more patients were able to access support at Steps’ partner clinics with 4,704 patients supported. This meant that around 536 more people had help than the year before.
Partner Clinics Grew
The South African network of partner clinics added more clinics to the fold, including Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital in the Eastern Cape.
Stepify Launched
Stepify is Steps’ social enterprise company that offers paediatric orthopaedic products to heal providers in Africa. Thanks to the social enterprise’s launch, more children were able to access clubfoot braces and were supported via the profit dividends that go to the Steps Clubfoot Care programme.
18 Years of Making a Difference
In 2023, Steps celebrated their 18th birthday and the incredible opportunity to reflect on over 19,000 children having received treatment since the journey began!
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