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She couldn't open her hand. Now she can reach for her future.

For two years, eight-year-old Musu couldn't straighten her left hand. A childhood accident had left scars that tightened over time, limiting her movement but never her energy or her dreams.

Country Freetown, Sierra Leone
Age 8
Treatment Reconstructive plastic surgery

Video

Video

Meet Musu

Musu grew up in a close-knit farming village in southern Sierra Leone. At six years old, an accident with boiling palm oil left her badly burned.

Her mother, Mamie, searched for treatment, taking Musu to three different hospitals. But as the burns healed, scar tissue tightened and gradually pulled her hand into a permanent fold.

  • At six years old, an accident with boiling palm oil left Musu badly burned, changing how she could use her left hand.

At six years old, an accident with boiling palm oil left Musu badly burned, changing how she could use her left hand.

At eight years old, Musu underwent a three-hour reconstructive surgery aboard the Global Mercy™ to release the scar tissue restricting her hand.

Recovery took determination. With rehabilitation and specially fitted splints, Musu worked to regain movement and keep the scar tissue from tightening again.

  • After nearly nine weeks on board, Musu was discharged. "We went there with sickness and returned home with joy," Mamie said, breaking into song.

After nearly nine weeks on board, Musu was discharged. "We went there with sickness and returned home with joy," Mamie said, breaking into song.

I've found her to be very brave. She pushes herself, even though it's a bit painful.
Karen Simpson, volunteer hand therapist

Help make another child's next step possible

For Musu, surgery meant more than restoring movement to her hand. It meant getting back to school, playing freely with her friends and having the chance to imagine what she might become.

Many children are still waiting for access to the surgical care they need. Your gift can help bring life-changing surgery and the care that follows within reach, giving more children the opportunity to move forward with their lives and their dreams.

Help make the next story possible.

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