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.
- culture and lack of understanding of what schooling is, and why it can be useful.
- "jiggers" (tungiasis) is a sand flea. It burrows into the skin (primarily feet), lays eggs and causes swelling, itching and infection. Children cannot have this condition at school.
Goals
- That all the children in the Twa village attend school.
Beneficiaries
20 individuals
HOW
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.
Microsavings - see individual page.
In 2019, FF presented the idea in the Twa village, that FF would provide half of the cost of school attendance (uniform, exercise books and pens) if the family provided the other half. This has been followed up since 2020.
"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, brushing the floor regularly, washing with soap and using footwear is seen as the best form of prevention.
Microsavings - see individual page.
In 2019, FF presented the idea in the Twa village, that FF would provide half of the cost of school attendance (uniform, exercise books and pens) if the family provided the other half. This has been followed up since 2020.
"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, brushing the floor regularly, washing with soap and using footwear is seen as the best form of prevention.
Time Line
2025 Nineteen children at school. Jiggers under control.
2024 Fourteen children at school. Jiggers is under control.
2023 Fourteen children attend school. 10 children were treated for "jiggers".
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 school January 2020. During COVID 19, 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".
2024 Fourteen children at school. Jiggers is under control.
2023 Fourteen children attend school. 10 children were treated for "jiggers".
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 school January 2020. During COVID 19, 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".