Congenital clubfoot rehabilitation represents far more than correcting a foot deformity—it offers children the opportunity to walk, participate in education and achieve greater independence. Harouna’s journey highlights how multidisciplinary care, reconstructive surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation, supported by international collaboration and NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT), can transform lives and restore hope for a brighter future.
Understanding Therapeutic Taping Methodologies
Congenital clubfoot is one of the most common congenital musculoskeletal deformities affecting children worldwide. When diagnosed and treated early, many children achieve excellent functional outcomes through conservative management. However, delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialist care and severe deformities may require complex reconstructive surgery followed by prolonged rehabilitation to restore mobility and independence.
Harouna’s story illustrates both the challenges and the possibilities of congenital clubfoot rehabilitation in low-resource settings. Through international humanitarian collaboration, healthcare professionals from Italy and Cameroon are working together to provide advanced surgical care, professional education and comprehensive rehabilitation. Furthermore, NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT) forms part of the broader rehabilitation philosophy by supporting tissue recovery, functional movement and multidisciplinary patient management whenever clinically appropriate. Ultimately, this initiative demonstrates how education, surgical expertise and rehabilitation can work together to improve quality of life while strengthening local healthcare capacity for future generations.
In the medical field, we often encounter complex cases—some with clear and immediate treatment options, while others require long-term intervention and multidisciplinary support. Harouna’s case is one that, in many parts of the world, would have been addressed early through surgical reconstruction and continuous follow-up during childhood. Unfortunately, due to the lack of timely medical intervention, he has had to adapt to a life of severe mobility challenges.
Harouna, an 11-year-old boy from Cameroon, was born with congenital clubfoot and joint limitations that have left him walking on his knees since birth. His resilience and determination have allowed him to find ways to move independently, even creating makeshift shoes to protect his legs. Yet, without the reconstructive surgery he urgently needs, his condition will continue to impact his future.
This is where we, as a medical and global community, have a chance to make a difference. Harouna has fallen through the cracks of the healthcare system, and now he needs our support to access life-changing treatment. I invite you to contribute and follow his journey as we work towards giving him the opportunity to walk for the first time.
In recent years, NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT) training projects in Cameroon have provided professional growth opportunities for many local physiotherapists, improving the quality of patient care. Today, our commitment extends to a new mission: helping Harouna, an 11-year-old boy with severe feet deformations and motor difficulties, walk independently for the first time.
Harouna’s Story
Harouna was born with congenital clubfoot and significant joint limitations. Since birth, he has been walking on his knees, even crafting handmade shoes to protect himself while moving around. Despite his challenges, he walks several kilometers daily to attend school, demonstrating extraordinary determination. His story has deeply moved a group of Italian physiotherapists, including Roberto Cicuto, Giosuè Tonello, and Luca Croce, who are working to bring him to Italy for proper treatment.
In Harouna’s severe case, conventional treatments for clubfoot, such as manipulation therapy, Achilles tenotomy, bracing with foot abduction orthoses, and NeuroMuscular Taping, do not provide an adequate solution. The only option is reconstructive surgery, followed by a complete rehabilitation program utilizing all necessary therapeutic methods.
The NMT Volunteer Project in Cameroon
This initiative is part of a broader training and assistance project promoted by the Associazione Silenziosi Operai della Croce of the Santuario del Trompone and coordinated by Sister Godelive Kalenga at the Fondazione Betlemme in Mouda, Cameroon. During the missions, our team has trained thirty local physiotherapists and provided rehabilitation to patients who underwent surgery by Italian surgeons. However, a common issue is the delay in surgical interventions, which often leads to severe complications.
How to Help Harouna
Harouna’s surgery is a real chance for him to walk and improve his quality of life. However, to make this journey of hope possible, we need your help. The funds raised will cover travel expenses, surgical procedures, and post-operative rehabilitation.
Thanks to the support of David Blow, founder of the NMT Institute in Rome, this project is taking shape. But to make it a reality, we need everyone’s contribution.
Join Us: Make a Difference
Every donation, big or small, can change Harouna’s life. Your support will allow him to receive the treatment he needs and look forward to a brighter future.
📌 For more information or to contribute, you can contact the project leader Roberto Cicuto at +39 392 882 5449 or robertocicuto@gmail.com.
🔗 Donate now and help Harouna walk for the first time! https://gofund.me/f0c721ce
Are you interested in NeuroMuscular Taping Volunteer Projects?
The NMT Volunteer Group is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical training and assistance in countries of the Global South (Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia), Central America, and Eastern Europe. The group consists of international volunteers specializing in healthcare services, each with specific professional expertise, working to transfer essential know-how and improve local healthcare services.
Are you interested in enrolling in an NMT Course?
The NeuroMuscular Taping Institute provides certification courses in physical rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, post surgical rehab, occupational therapy, speech therapy, remedial therapy, nursing as well vascular and lymphedema treatment and management. All trainings are classroom settings to enhance skill development and clinical reasoning creating optimum therapeutic results. ONLINE courses are not available. Please contact your local course provider or visit the NMT WEB SITE for course programs and dates.
For more details, course listings, and registration for an upcoming course CLICK HERE
Do you require validation of your NMT methodology for research purposes?
A detailed Neuromuscular Taping methodology is crucial in any research project for several reasons. Repeatability, Transparency, Validity and Reliability of your treatment choices will not only have an impact on your research but also an impact on future therapeutic choices. For more detailed information about the NMT, please contact us at: info.taping@mail.com
Know someone who might be interested in this newsletter? Share it with them.