INSEAD MBA Students' Collaborative Journey with MiracleFeet: Transforming Clubfoot Care

As part of their Business for Good (BFG) Practicum, a group of 23 INSEAD MBA students embarked on a transformative journey to The Gambia to see first-hand the work of MiracleFeet's clubfoot clinics. They delved deep into the lives of patients and joined forces with their NGO partners hailing from The Gambia, Morocco, Madagascar, Nigeria, and South Sudan. Their purpose was clear: to unearth ways to make clubfoot treatment more accessible, to elevate the quality of care, and to bolster adherence to treatment regimens among children in these communities. 

Their journey led them to the homes of MiracleFeet's young patients. They met children like 3-year-old Catherine, whose parents were grappling with the challenges of getting to treatment appointments and required transportation subsidies to continue the healing process. Catherine's mother, Maria, had to sacrifice her part-time job to become her dedicated carer. But the outcome was worth it – Catherine was now happier than ever, making friends and playing with her neighbour's little boy. 

They also met 2-year-old Isatou, one of four sisters, all cared for by Aja, a single mother who had been abandoned by her husband due to Isatou's disability. Aja broke down in tears as she recounted the humiliation she endured from her neighbours and the community due to the perceived stigma of Isatou’s disability. As they left, the students couldn't help but notice that Aja covered her daughter's foot to shield it from view. 

These stories were poignant reminders of the patients' daily struggles. The students were now fully immersed in their mission to build support systems for patient families, to help get them to clinics, to raise awareness about clubfoot and its treatment, and to establish effective collaborations with community leaders and other stakeholders to expand the impact. 

Together with representatives from the five NGOs, the students worked to create short-term and long-term solutions that were attuned to the specific needs and circumstances of each country. Their initiatives spanned a wide spectrum of actions, from forging partnerships with local organisations and government entities, to ramping up community engagement and offering essential transportation support. Additionally, they delved into the crucial task of building support systems within the communities, providing counselling services, offering training to physicians for early detection, and laying the groundwork for a network of ambassadors to promote the Ponseti method, a series of treatments designed to correct clubfoot in children. 

As their BFG Practicum ended, the students returned to the Fontainebleau and Singapore campuses with newfound perspectives. The students shared invaluable lessons they had learned, including humility and insights into the inner workings of NGOs. However, what touched them most was witnessing first-hand the transformation that clubfoot treatment could bring to the lives of these young patients. 

To gain deeper insights from our students' first-hand experiences, click here to read more.