ACTIVITIES

Introduction

Since its inception, The Anti-Jigger Campaign (an Ahadi Kenya initiative) has visited many parts of the country, fighting the jigger menace. Below is a summary of the activities, starting with the latest.

Anti-jigger launch, Othaya- 27th February 2010
(Jimi Kibaki declares war on jiggers)

Anti-jigger campaign was officially launched at the President`s home district of Othaya. The function was sponsored by Jimi Kibaki who declared total war on jiggers in the province. The launch took place at Kairia Primary School. More than 250 pupils all seriously jigger infested were treated and supplied with medication materials. A center to deal with the menace will be established in the district. This will be done in partnership with Public health ministry, provincial administration, Ministry of education and Ahadi Kenya.

President Kibaki`s son Jimi attends to jigger infested feet of residents of Kairia village, Othaya

Anti-jigger drive, Gatundu- 19th February 2010
(More than 300 pupils benefit)

All the students of Kiwandinga primary school in Gatundu South benefited with shoes and treatment. The camp that was attended by among others; Sotokoto Safari Marathon, Evergreen Africa Trust and Ahadi Kenya, saw the students treated, supplied with shoes and trees planted in the school. Top Kenyan marathoners led by Wakiihuri demonstrated on how they prepare for marathon. Jiggers have denied most young people from achieving in sports and other academic activities.

Jigger infested feet of a pupil		Pupils been treated

Pupils fitted with new shoes		Pupils planting trees

Medical Camp Kandara- 24th January 2010
(Churches join the campaign)

The Federation of Evangelical & Indigenous Church in Kenya has urged the Government to take the fight against jiggers seriously. Bishop Dr. Joseph Mothu said that his church will partner with Ahadi Kenya in their fight against jiggers. He called on all Kenyans to join in the campaign as this is will help in eradicating the problem.

Former Nairobi Mayors, Dr. Nathan Kahara and Joe Aketch called on all political leaders to stop been in denial about the problem and join in the campaign. Aketch said that the issue of jiggers is brought about by poverty and urged the government to help in the fight against poverty in Kenya.

The Bishop and the former Mayors were speaking at Kariuwa primary school, Kandara, during the thanks giving service for the award to Dr. Nathan Kahara of PHD degree by United Graduate College and Seminary (USA). Kahara Donated 3 acres of land to put up a center for the vulnerable children aged and jigger infested victims in Kandara. More than 150 children were treated of jiggers during the function that was attended by Ahadi Kenya CEO Stanley Kamau and the anti-jigger campaign ambassador Cecilia Mwangi.

Jigger infested feet of a child in Kandara		Cecilia (center) with former Mayors and the bishop

Home Visits, Malindi-16th January 2010
(Man using a knife to remove jiggers)

A middle aged man in Malindi was found using a kitchen knife to cut off parts of his body that are infested with jiggers. Karisa Kenga, aged 50, had no clue of how to fight the parasites that have invaded his whole body. His seven children have not been spared either. The family relies on well wishers for support. None of the children goes to school which is a few meters away. They can hardly walk due to the infestation. Ahadi supplied the family with medication and sanitation equipment and also educated them on how to manage the problem.

Karisa cutting jiggers from his hands.		Karisa`s wounded legs

Visit to Runda, Nairobi-15th December 2009
(Children living in pathetic conditions)

Several children in Mji Wa Huruma, in Runda, Nairobi, are in urgent need of medical attention due to jigger infestation. There are more than 300 jigger infested children in that village, some of whom cannot walk or fend for themselves because of jigger infestation. The slum borders Runda, one of the most prestigious suburbs in Kenya. Most of the infested children’s parents work for the Runda residents. Mji wa Huruma is one of the Nairobi slums affected by the jigger menace. Others are Kibera, Kasarani and Dagoretti.

The jigger infested feet of children from Mji Wa Huruma

The children’s jigger infested fingers (left) and heel (right)

Jamhuri Day-12th December 2009
(Head of State Commendation)

Ahadi Kenya Campaign ambassador Miss World Kenya 2005, Cecilia Mwangi and Founder, Stanley Kamau, were awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC) by his Excellency the president of the republic of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki. This is in recognition for their dedication towards the fight against jiggers in Kenya. The anti-jigger campaign has been going on for the last three years, with Ahadi Kenya being the only organization fighting this menace. More than 2.6 million jigger infested Kenyans are registered with Ahadi. Significant achievements have been made in the fight against the menace. They include rehabilitation of recovered people back to normalcy. The organization takes this opportunity to thank his Excellency the President for the recognition.

The Head of State Commendation medal		Ahadi Kenya Trust ambassador, Cecilia Mwangi, and founder, Stanley Kamau, attending to jigger infested children

Medical camp Gatanga-29th November 2009
(Over 7000 people treated of various ailments)

More than 7000 people from Gatanga constituency were treated of various ailments with over 1000 treated for severe jigger infestation. The exercise was conducted by 150 volunteers and medical personnel from Aga Khan, Lions Club hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital. The camp was jointly sponsored by Ahadi Kenya Trust, Barclays Bank, Levans Hotel Upperhill and a Nairobi businessman Humphrey Kimani Njuguna.

Children’s feet heavily infested with jiggers in Gatanga constituency

Children infested waiting for treatment (left) and volunteers attending to the victims

Visit to Laikipia Districts-20th to 23rd November 2009
(50 missionaries trained)

A team of missionaries from New Springs Church USA were trained and later took part in jigger eradication campaigns in Laikipia Districts. Several villages are highly infested with jiggers in the district especially the squatters. The missionaries are targeting to attend to at least 1000 infested children during their 6 days visit. They are in the country courtesy of The 410 Bridge International an NGO that runs their missions in Kenya.

Missionaries undergoing training (left) and treating jigger infested children (right)

Homes been fumigated by the missionaries (left) and (right) children relaxing after treatment

Visit to Kanunga Village, Kiambu- 14th November 2009
(Several children dropping out of school)

Several children eligible to join standard one next year may not see the inside of classroom due to jigger infestation in Kiambu. Most of them have already dropped out of nursery school this year after been attacked by the pests. This was revealed when Children of Kirawa Road Primary School, Westlands joined Ahadi Kenya in an anti-jigger campaign in Kanunga Village, Kiambaa, Kiambu District. The children had an opportunity to experience what other children from rural areas go through. More than 100 children were treated and fed.

A child`s infested feet (left) and (right) her infested hands

Children from Kirawa Road Primary School washing (left) and (right) presenting their donations

Visit to Gatundu South-31st October 2009 
(High jigger infestation)

Gatundu south District is among the highly jigger infested districts in central Kenya. Poverty and lack of proper hygiene is also evident in the area. In a medical camp sponsored by Cooperative Bank, more than 100 children were treated and supplied with foodstuff and clothing. Some children had gone for days without food and looked very weak. Jiggers have deformed some of the children to an extent that they can hardly walk or even write. The teachers present appealed to well wishers to come out and offer support for this young innocent kids to enjoy free primary education.

Jigger infested feet (left) and volunteers distributing shoes to the children

Visit to Mukurueini, Nyeri-24th October 2009
(Jiggers caused death)

A man died in Mukurueini after severe jigger infestation. According to his relatives, the man had resulted to cutting off the affected areas of his body with a knife. His wife was not spared either and had her whole body affected by the parasites. The Ahadi team visited the man's homestead and left medication in order to at least to save the life of the old woman. A few other people have died in the same area according to the neighbours. Ahadi then proceeded to Tambaya primary school where more than 200 children were treated and fed at a jigger medical camp sponsored by Barclays Bank.

Jigger infested foot of a child		Volunteers from Barclays feeding the kids

 

Visit to Solai, Nakuru-17th October 2009
(Extreme poverty)

There is extreme poverty in Solai, Nakuru, as was witnessed during our anti-jigger campaign in the area. Most victims share personal effects because as many as ten people share a single living unit. Some of these living units are themselves in a sorry state of repair. The issue of jigger infestation is not different from other regions although victims here are more stigmatized. Jigger attacks were evident in the legs, hands and other parts of the victims' bodies. The campaign was attended by, among others, the provincial administration, public health officials, church leaders, the community and volunteers. More than 100 children were treated and supplied with foodstuff.

A child been treated (left) and (right) students volunteers from a nearby secondary school

Medical Camp in Nyahururu- 3rd October 2009
(Several children out of School)

A big number of children from Sirare primary school in Nyahururu have been dropping out of school due to jigger infestation. Three people have also died in the area after severe jigger infestation. This was revealed at a medical camp organized by Gaplink International. More than one thousand people benefited from the camp whose activities included; washing and treatment of jigger infested people, supply of clothing’s & shoes and distribution of food. The entire school and a few neighboring homes were fumigated by volunteers who came all the way from Nakuru.

A child’s jigger infested feet		Provincial administration helping in treatment

Anti-Jigger Campaign Launch Western Kenya- 18th September 2009
(More than 500 children treated)

The anti-jigger campaign was finally officially launched in Western Kenya. The launch took place at Ematsuli Primary School, Emuhaya constituency. According to the area MP Hon. Wilber Otichillo who graced the function, 15% of the constituents are jigger infested. More than 500 school-going children were treated on that day. Emuhaya Constituency CDF office was identified to serve as the information office for all jigger related issues in that region. A social worker was also employed to attend to those in need of medication. Ahadi Kenya has appealed to everyone with jiggers to come out and be attended to. Ahadi will also support the center.

Jigger infested feet of the children in Emuhaya

Emuhaya MP, Hon Wilber Otichilo treating the children (Right) and (Left) a volunteer fumigates the classrooms

All Corporate Jigger Eradication Day-12th September 2009
(32 corporate bodies took part)

Several corporate bodies and individuals took part in the All Corporate Jigger Eradication Day held at Gaichanjiru Primary School, Kandara. More than 1000 children and adults were attended to during the medical camp. Most corporates adopted 10 children while individuals adopted 1 child each. The activities included; washing and treating the children with jiggers, entertainment from several groups, presentation of various donations, presentation of participation certificates and feeding the children. The event was aired live by KBC. The All Corporate Jigger Eradication Day will be taking place every year in different provinces in Kenya.

Seriously jigger-infested feet and (right) hands

Corporate bodies taking part during the All Corporate Jigger Eradication Day
Parapet	Ketepa	Pan Africa Life
Savlon (Display of medication from Johnson & Johnson)	KCB	Equity
AAR	Children from Joram Gitau Children's Home entertaining attendees	Rotary Club (Mashariki) making their cheque presentation

Ahadi Kenya's Cecilia Mwangi and Monica Waceke, KBC Programmes Manager, present participation certificates to representatives of Magnate Ventures (left) and the Lydia Mocheche Foundation (right)

 

 

 

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News Updates:

27th February 2010: President`s son Jimi Kibaki launches anti-jigger campaign in Othaya constituency..............19th February 2010: Top Kenyan marathoners join anti-jigger drive in Gatundu and donated shoes..........24th January 2010: Churches join the fight against jiggers in Kenya..........16th January 2010: A man in Malindi uses a knife to cut off his parts of the body affected with jiggers..12th December 2009: Ahadi Kenya Campaign ambassador Miss world Kenya 2005 and the Founder Stanley Kamau, were awarded with the Head of State Commendation (HSC) by the president......... .. . ...... .......... More information in the ACTIVITIES section