From Classrooms to Communities: CURE India and Varanasi’s Health Warriors Unite to Ensure Every Child Walks with Dignity.
In the ancient, vibrant city of Varanasi, a modern revolution is taking place—one centered on the simple yet profound right of every child to walk, run, and play. Recently, the mission of #ClubfootFreeIndia reached a new milestone at a local Government School and Anganwadi Centre. Led by Ms. Nitu Gupta, a dedicated District Program Coordinator (DPC) for CURE India, an impactful awareness session was held to bridge the gap between congenital disability and a life of mobility.
By engaging directly with those who form the heart of the community—teachers, principals, and frontline health workers—CURE India is ensuring that the geography of a child’s birth in Uttar Pradesh no longer dictates their physical future.
Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital physical disabilities in India. Without intervention, it can lead to a lifetime of limited mobility and social exclusion. However, the message delivered in Varanasi was one of immense hope: Clubfoot is completely treatable.
The key to a successful cure lies in early identification. This is why visits to schools and Anganwadi centers are so critical. Teachers like Ms. Kudushiya and Archna Ma’am, and Anganwadi workers like Ms. Jyoti Shrivastava, are the "gatekeepers" of child health. They are often the first to notice a child’s physical struggle or to meet a new mother in the community. By empowering these local leaders with the knowledge of early signs and referral pathways, we are creating a safety net that ensures no child is left behind.
During the session, Ms. Nitu Gupta highlighted the Ponseti method—the global gold standard for clubfoot treatment. Unlike invasive surgeries of the past, this non-surgical approach uses a series of gentle manipulations and serial plaster casts to gradually correct the foot’s position.
Following the casting phase, children are provided with a FAB (Foot Abduction Brace). This specialized brace is essential to maintain the correction and prevent relapse. At CURE India, we emphasize that when this method is started early, the results are nearly 100% effective, allowing children to lead entirely normal lives.
This initiative in Varanasi is a vital branch of a massive national movement. CURE India is recognized as one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India, a distinction earned through years of clinical excellence and radical transparency of fund usage.
We operate the largest clubfoot program in the world, maintaining a national presence that spans every state. To date, CURE India has documented the most number of clubfoot children treated in medical history. This scale is made possible by the unwavering credibility of our medical partnerships and the dedication of our coordinators on the ground.
Our mission is guided by a clear, ambitious roadmap. Currently, CURE India is proud to be treating 33% of children born with clubfoot in India. However, we are not slowing down.
Through our RunFree2030 initiative, we are aggressively scaling our operations with the goal of reaching 70% of all children born with clubfoot in the next 5 years. Achieving this requires a dual focus: providing high-quality Free Treatment in our clinics and relentlessly spreading awareness in every district, just as Ms. Nitu Gupta has done in Varanasi.
Building a #ClubfootFreeIndia requires a "village" of supporters—donors, medical professionals, and the general public. When we empower frontline warriors, we turn hope into a tangible reality for thousands of families.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Mankeshwari Devi (Principal) and the entire staff in Varanasi for their commitment to child health. Together, we are taking the steps necessary to ensure that every child can dream—and run—freely.
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