Story of Abubakarr

From his very first steps, it was clear that Abubakarr would never be able to wear regular shoes. Movements that come naturally to most children, like running and jumping, were out of reach for this six-year-old boy from Sierra Leone, who was born with an extra toe on each foot.

Abubakarr comes from the town of Kabala in the north of the country, where he lived with his parents until his mother fell ill and passed away. He was only five years old when his grandmother, Adama, stepped in to raise him.

“He always hugs me tightly when I come home,” Adama says, describing her grandson’s affectionate nature. His aunt, Muminatu, adds with admiration, “Abubakarr is a smart, kind, and open-hearted child. He has a good heart and is very sociable.”

Surrounded by love, Abubakarr developed a cheerful and enthusiastic personality. Despite the physical challenges he has faced since birth, the warmth and care of his family have helped him grow into a resilient and spirited young boy.

Wearing Shoes: An Uphill Battle

For young Abubakarr, shoes were a painful reminder of his difference. Seeing his friends tying their laces often brought him to tears. “When he sees them wearing shoes, he comes to me crying,” says Adama. “He tells me, ‘Grandmother, look at all my classmates who have shoes but I can’t.’” He was different from the other children in his class, and some of them teased him.

Closed black shoes are part of his school uniform. But for Abubakarr, wearing them was impossible – his feet simply wouldn’t fit into any ordinary pair of shoes. “He could only wear sandals,” explains Muminatu. “And his friends would call him all sorts of names.”

It wasn’t just the sandals that made him different; Abubakarr also struggled to run like the other children. “When he tries to run, his feet knock against each other and he falls,” says Adama. “Even during PE class, he is eager to join in, but as soon as he starts running, he trips and falls.”

To help him find suitable shoes, his family got creative. They bought foam shoes and carefully cut openings with a knife to make room for his extra toes.

From Word of Mouth to Mercy Ships

It was during a conversation with her neighbor, Binta, that Muminatu first heard about Mercy Ships. Binta’s eight-year-old daughter had received an orthopedic surgery aboard the Global Mercy during the ship’s previous visit to Sierra Leone. “I was happy to tell others about Mercy Ships because of the amazing work they had done for my daughter,” Binta explained. Encouraged by her testimony, Muminatu registered Abubakarr for surgery.

Aboard the Global Mercy, Abubakarr was diagnosed with polydactyly, a congenital condition characterized by extra fingers or toes.

Dr. Tjeerd de Jong, a volunteer plastic surgeon from the Netherlands, explains that in countries with advanced healthcare systems, cases like Abubakarr’s are usually corrected in early childhood. In contrast, Sierra Leone has very limited access to surgical care, and “this type of treatment is extremely hard to find here.”

Finally, Abubakarr underwent a 90-minute surgery. “The first time they removed the bandages and I saw Abubakarr’s feet, I was so happy!” exclaimed his aunt Muminatu, beaming with joy.

A New Pair of Shoes for Abubakarr

Abubakarr’s rehabilitation lasted two weeks and focused on improving his strength, balance, and mobility through targeted exercises and playful therapy sessions.

Before leaving the Global Mercy, the communications team had one last surprise for him: a brand-new pair of shoes, just for him! “Today I got a new pair of shoes, and I’m so happy. It’s the first time I can wear closed shoes,” Abubakarr exclaimed proudly.

Today, Abubakarr is thriving. “He runs, plays football with his friends, and no longer falls,” emphasizes Adama. Muminatu has big dreams for her nephew’s future:
“I want Abubakarr to become someone others look up to.”

And Abubakarr? “Now I can go to school, and nobody will make fun of me,” he says, smiling.

Orthopedic surgery

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12 January 2026