A spirited campaign by a lobby group has seen thousands of families in the country being economically empowered and free from jigger infestation.
For a period of more than a decade, Ahadi Kenya Trust had embarked on campaigns and fights against jigger infestation by economically empowering infested families to transform from poverty.
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Kamau, has revealed that his organisation has so far helped more than 200, 000 families in the country to eradicate jiggers.
On Monday, when the country marked National Jigger Awareness Day, Kamau, who visited some of the jigger’ survivors who benefitted from the Foundation, termed poverty as the main contributor to jigger infestation among communities.
He said his organisation has come up with various initiatives aimed at alleviating the burden of jiggers and transforming the lives of the affected families through various economic empowerment programmes.
Kamau, who visited some of the families that received support from Ahadi Kenya in Kandara Sub County, revealed that they helped them to start dairy and poultry farming, adding they also supported them with avocado and banana seedlings to plant in their farms.
“Poverty is the main contributor to jigger infestation. Through the organisation’s support, we have provided livestock, supported avocado farming, poultry farming, and even funded small businesses. These survivors are now employers, running successful farms and businesses, which is a testimony to the power of community empowerment,” he stated.
The Director continued, “People who were once stigmatised due to jiggers have now found a way to empower themselves and live decent lives.”
Kamau emphasized that to fully eradicate jiggers, it was important to empower members of the community, especially those from poor backgrounds.
He dispelled myths surrounding jiggers, stating that they are not caused by curses or witchcraft but rather stem from poor living conditions.
“Jiggers can be eradicated by adopting decent living standards. Ensuring people live in decent houses, have food and have a source of livelihood,” noted Kamau.
One of the survivors, Jane Gicharu, reflected on how the Ahadi Kenya helped her and her family to eradicate jiggers.
“Ahadi Kenya helped us by providing medications, treating us, and fumigating our homes,” Gicharu explained.
“The foundation also assisted in paying for my son’s school fees, allowing him to join Form One. Additionally, through avocado and livestock farming, I have been able to sustain myself,” she added.
Another jigger survivor, Margret Wairimu, vividly recalled the hardships she endured before Ahadi Kenya stepped in.
“Before Ahadi Kenya’s intervention, jiggers were everywhere in my compound and they had taken a toll on my children. They couldn’t even attend school because of the infestation,” she said.
Wairimu lauded the support she got from the organisation, saying she is now living a better life.
A Community Health Volunteer, Eunice Ndungu, commonly known as ‘Mama Jiggers,’ has been dedicated to the fight against jiggers within the locality.
“It’s heartwarming to see how far the jigger survivors have come. Their success stories are a true reflection of the positive impact this initiative has had, both in eradicating the menace and empowering the community economically,” she added.
Gaichanjiru Assistant Chief James Gitau observed that before the empowerment programme, there was rampant theft in the area due to the jigger infestation.
Gitau divulged that locals struggled to earn a living, but with the intervention from the foundation and well-wishers, the affected people have been able to earn an honest living and take care of their families.
Ahadi Kenya Trust’s Jigger Eradication Campaign continues to be a beacon of hope for many, offering not only a cure for the physical infestation but also the economic tools needed to break the cycle of poverty.
With continued community support and empowerment, the foundation is hopeful that jiggers will soon be a thing of the past in Kenya.
By Bernard Munyao
