Nestled in the lush green hills of Ukuwela, in Sri Lanka’s scenic central highlands, Ramzeen’s family lived a quiet, simple life. The mountains were home and nature was their comfort. Anticipating the birth of his fifth child, Ramzeen didn’t expect anything unusual as his other children were born without complications.  

It came as a shock to Ramzeen and his wife, Fathima, when they saw Rizni’s tiny feet severely twisted inwards. They had no idea what it was, what to do, or how to ask about it. They had never heard the term clubfoot. 

“I was confused and scared,” Ramzeen recalls.

“I remember holding him and asking myself, ‘What is this? Is it a disease? Will my son be like this forever? What kind of life will he have?’” 

That fear soon grew heavier. In their close-knit community, news about the mysterious condition spread quickly and whispers turned into rumors. People talked, often without understanding, which was hurtful to Ramzeen and Fathima who were already worried. Ramzeen put up a strong front, but in truth both he and his wife were distraught. They worried about their newborn son and what the future would hold for them all. 

The first ten days of Rizni’s life were especially hard. The family didn’t have enough money for unessential transportation, but that didn’t stop them from searching for answers. They travelled from one hospital to another, hoping someone would show them a path forward. And on the tenth day, they found it. Rizni began treatment at a clubfoot clinic in Sirimavo Bandaranayake Specialized Children Hospital, with Humanity & Inclusion, MiracleFeet’s partner organization in Sri Lanka. 

“They placed casts both of his legs,” Ramzeen recalls. “And after two months, they scheduled a tenotomy. It was the first time I felt a spark of hope.” 

Each time they visited the hospital, they noticed tiny improvements, and on their third visit, something beautiful happened. 

“The doctor removed the bandages, and for the first time, I saw his legs starting to look like any other child’s. My wife and I couldn’t stop smiling,” says Ramzeen. “We felt such a deep relief.” 

They noticed more than just physical healing. Rizni started to smile more, to reach for things, to pull up on his own. Those small moments—watching him push himself up, stumble a little, but try again—filled them with hope and joy. It wasn’t just his feet that were getting stronger, it was the entire family’s spirit. 

Steps Towards Strength

As part of the recovery, Rizni had to wear braces, what Ramzeen fondly calls “shoes,” until the age of four. Slowly, those shoes gave way to little footsteps. First walking, then running. And with every step, their hearts grew lighter. 

“I used to be afraid he’d never walk,” Ramzeen admits, “but then we saw him running around, chasing after a soccer ball with his friends—and that fear just melted away.” 

Soccer became Rizni’s passion, just like his father. Even when no one was around, he’d kick the ball around for hours by himself. For a boy who once couldn’t straighten his feet, running around the soccer field felt like pure freedom. 

There were still check-ups and follow-up appointments, and the family remained vigilant for any sign of relapse, but the joy of seeing him run, fall, and get back up—like any other child—meant the world to his parents. Neighbors noticed too. Once skeptical, many now looked at Rizni with admiration. He was no longer “the boy with twisted feet”—now he was the fast, cheerful kid who could outrun them all. 

“When I see him play now,” Ramzeen says with eyes full of emotion, “it fills me with a joy I can’t even explain. I once dreamt he might grow up to be like one of the doctors who helped him—but I think he loves soccer too much for that,” he adds with a wide, proud grin. 

Among the peaceful hills of Ukuwela, young Rizni enjoys his childhood like any other five-year-old boy. His story is not just of struggle, but of courage, resilience, and love. Ramzeen and his wife held onto hope even when everything around them felt uncertain. And today, their son is not just walking, not just running—he’s shining. In school, on the field, and in the hearts of his parents and neighbors, Rizni’s spirit stands out. 

He is proof that even from the most uncertain beginnings, something beautiful can grow. And through it all, Ramzeen has learned something more powerful than medicine: hope. When held tightly enough, it can move mountains.