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 as he was born with an extra toe on each foot.

But Abubakarr’s spirit has never been confined by his condition; he is sharp, playful, and exudes the natural confidence of a leader. 

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,” Adama 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.

When Feet Don’t Fit  

For young Abubakarr, 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.”

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.”   

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—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.

When Protection Sparks Possibility

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 defense—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,” she recalled. “That’s when Binta (a neighbor) approached me and said, ‘Mercy Ships is coming back—take Abubakarr there.'”

Binta spoke from experience. Her 8-year-old daughter had received life-changing orthopedic surgery on board the Global Mercy™ during the ship’s 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.”

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.

One Step Closer to Healing

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.”

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 still 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.” 

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.

New Feet, New Possibilities

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.”

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 they left the Global Mercy, the Communications team had one final surprise: a brand-new pair of shoes, just for him! “I received a new shoe today and I am happy. This is my first time wearing a shoe,” Abubakarr proudly declared. 

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.”

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.”

And as for Abubakarr? “I can go to school now and nobody will laugh at me,” he said with a smile. One short 90-minute procedure changed this 6-year-old’s life forever.

Mercy Ships’ mission is made possible by the commitment and generosity of people like you. Visit mercyships.org today to learn how you can get involved.