KENYA - Anti-Jigger Campaign

2010 - Natasha Metto

VISION: A better life for Kenyan children

MISSION: To ensure that all Kenyan children infested with jiggers are freed from the menace to ensure a normal and happy childhood.

The Campaign:

Natasha's first encounter with the anti-jigger campaign occurred while she was still a contestant at the Miss World Kenya Competition through the invitation of Ahadi Kenya
The 12 finalists got a chance to visit Gatundu South and through this experience, Natasha developed a passion for children infested with jiggers
After being crowned Miss World Kenya 2010, in August of 2010 Natasha decided to join Ahadi Kenya as part of her Beauty with a Purpose campaign
It is through this partnership over the course of this one month that she has managed to support children from the village of Gatanga by donating a percentage of the funds raised to send her to China to support 100 children at $60 per child hoping to support another 500 by the end of her reign

Ahadi Kenya:

Ahadi Kenya is the winner of the Global Leadership & Management Award 2009
It is a Non Governmental Organization started three years ago and whose major activity is to eradicate jiggers in Kenya
Ahadi Kenya Trust has so far registered over 2.6 million jigger infested Kenyans

What are Jiggers?

Also known as a sand flea, it is a blood sucking parasite found in the sandy terrain of warm and dry climates
The female targets animals and human beings by burrowing under the soles of their feet, toe webs, toe nails and finger nails
The irritation or itchiness felt is a result of inflammation and ulceration caused by the femal jigger laying eggs, passing fecal matter and breathing through a small dot marking the point of penetration

How jiggers affect children!

These parasites feed on the children's blood denying the necessary nutrients they need for a healthy life and this then leads to a case of malnutrition in the children
These parasites also continuously bite on the children causing them constant discomfort and pain
In cases when the parasite dies while still under the skin, the infection can result in: gangrene, sepsis, loss of nail, fibrosis, ulceration, inflammation
They also cause sores and open wounds that make the children prone to other infections
In the extreme cases of infections the parasites lead to disability in the children
In the worst case scenario, jigger infestation may lead to death

Beauty with a Purpose

Created home visits, to spray and supply jigger infested people with sanitation materials to be used in killing, and preventing the effects of jigger causing fleas
Donated to affected families medication, sanitation equipment, foodstuffs and clothing
Organized to train the communities and leaders on how to manage jigger infestation
Supplied children who have recovered from jigger infestation with books and other learning materials, to help them get back to school

Conclusion

Natasha is committed to helping children acquire

FOR THE CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS JUST LIKE OTHER CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD

Beauty with a Purpose