BAckground
There has been no tradition to send children from the Twa village to school, and none from the village close to FRED'S FARM have attended school. There are various reasons for this:
- extreme poverty where the main focus in life is survival.
- "jiggers" (tungiasis) is a sand flea. It burrows into the skin (primarily feet), lays eggs and causes swelling, itching and infection. It is a very painful condition, There is also a social stigma and shame associated with the victims of jiggers which causes them to hide the problem, making it worse.
- culture and lack of understanding of what schooling is.
Goals
- To get all the Twa children in the village to attend school.
Beneficiaries
20 individuals
HOW
Microsavings - see individual page.
"Jiggers" must be treated with medication (Benzyl benzoate, liquid paraffin) and removing the fleas with a scalpel. All houses in the area have earth floors, so getting re-infested is very probable. To prevent further infestation, washing with soap and using footwear is seen as the best solution.
Providence (farm foreman) actively promotes school attendance. She is "next door neighbour" to the Twa village, and has close and regular contact with Alice, the village leader. Providence has authority and is a role model. She is a single mother with 2 children who attend school.
"Jiggers" must be treated with medication (Benzyl benzoate, liquid paraffin) and removing the fleas with a scalpel. All houses in the area have earth floors, so getting re-infested is very probable. To prevent further infestation, washing with soap and using footwear is seen as the best solution.
Providence (farm foreman) actively promotes school attendance. She is "next door neighbour" to the Twa village, and has close and regular contact with Alice, the village leader. Providence has authority and is a role model. She is a single mother with 2 children who attend school.
Time Line
2022 The six children at school continue and are doing well. 16 children treated for "jiggers".
2021 The same six children continue at school. 17 children and adults were treated for "jiggers".
2020 Six children began at school January 2020. Due to COVID 19, there were only 3 months school in 2020.
2019 Saving towards schooling began. All of the children with "jiggers" were given medical and follow up treatment, including provision of sandals and soap.
2018 Providence and Alice (Twa village leader) encouraged villagers to come forward if they had "jiggers".
2021 The same six children continue at school. 17 children and adults were treated for "jiggers".
2020 Six children began at school January 2020. Due to COVID 19, there were only 3 months school in 2020.
2019 Saving towards schooling began. All of the children with "jiggers" were given medical and follow up treatment, including provision of sandals and soap.
2018 Providence and Alice (Twa village leader) encouraged villagers to come forward if they had "jiggers".