STEPS SA, a South African start-up NGO, was established in 2005 to assist babies born in South Africa with clubfoot and other lower limb defects. As clubfoot is the most common of these birth defects, this is our primary focus. South Africa has once of the highest incidences of congenital clubfoot in the world (Ref.1-4)

Conditions like clubfoot are not glamorous, they are not life threatening and they don’t get a lot of press.

STEPS projects make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of babies who, if effectively treated, can grow up just like other children without the social stigma of deformity.

Although clubfoot is the most common and potentially crippling musculo-skeletal defect, most people know little about it. Inadequate or incomplete treatment has negative long-term effects on a child's quality of life. Babies have unnecessary surgery, they struggle with stiff, deformed and painful feet, limps, relapse and the increased risk of further complications like arthritis, knee and hip replacements.

Imagine this:

• your baby is born with a potentially crippling defect and you have no medical cover
• your family thinks it’s your fault your baby has a defect and you have no support or access to information
• the staff at the clinic tell you to accept the fact that you have a baby with a deformity and to ‘be patient’ after months and months of unsuccessful casts
• to see a qualified doctor who can correct your baby's crooked feet you have to take a day off work and travel hours with your newborn, in a minibus taxi, every week, for 6 to 8 weeks
• your country has no Ponseti doctors and the only way your baby can have straight feet is to travel to South Africa, stay for weeks and pay for all the treatment because you do not have access to state-funded care

This situation occurs every day in Southern Africa. STEPS SA's aim is to give every baby and child the chance to stand on their own two feet:

• STEPS supports parents
• STEPS supports training for medical professionals
• STEPS raises funds for needy patients
• STEPS runs awareness campaigns
• STEPS builds capacity for improved treatment
• STEPS develops relationships with doctors, organisations, consumers
• STEPS provides information
• STEPS plans for sustainability

STEPS is run with tight infrastructure to ensure our sustainability and effectiveness. We have low overheads and volunteers do the majority of our work. Over 90% of donations and funds raised goes directly to our projects and beneficiaries. Make online donation now.

STEPS is based in Cape Town.  We are a national organisation, associated internationally with other clubfoot organisations, support groups and doctors. STEPS partners with Ponseti International Association (USA), Miracle Feet (USA), University of British Columbia (Canada), STEPS Charity Worldwide (UK).

STEPS Charity is a registered and audited non-profit organisation. Our auditors are KH Financial Services, Durban, South Africa.

References:

1. Kromberg JG, Jenkins T Common birth defects in South African blacks. S Afr Med J 1982; 62: 599-602
2. Pompe Van Meerdervoort HF. Congenital musculoskeletal malformations in South African blacks: a study on incidence. S Afr Med J 1996; 50: 1853-5.
3. Danielson LG. Incidence of congenital clubfoot in Sweden. 128 cases in 138000 infants 1946 –1990 in Malmo. Acta Orthop Scand 1992; 63: 424-6
4. Valdirieso Garcia JL, Escassi Gil A, Zapatero Martinez M et al. Prospective study of equinovarus foot in 20000 live newborn infants. An Esp Pediatr 1988; 28: 325-6