First Annual Jigger Digger in Eldoret!

After weeks of preparation, negotiating with fumigators, organizing our medical supplies, purchasing new mattresses, and buying socks and shoes for 96 children, Jigger Digger finally arrived November 10 - 12.

On Monday, November 10, we worked with the fumigation service to spray 24 homes for jiggers, fumigating a total of 38 rooms in the Kambi Teso slum. These houses belong to the families of the 96 children who are fed four times per week through our feeding program.

The next day, our Jigger Digger team of staff, volunteers, and team members arrived at Kambi Teso to set up the medical tent and began cleaning tiny feet and digging out the jiggers that had infested them.

Some of you are probably wondering, “Just what are jiggers anyway?” Jiggers are tiny fleas that imbed themselves usually in the feet (although we did pull some out of fingers) and produce a sack of eggs that eventually release hundreds of fleas under the skin. They are terribly itchy, cause painful open sores, and, if left unattended, can eventually cause nerve damage.

The Jigger Digger team provided relief to 18 grateful children. It was a long and painful process for them and some tears were shed, but the end result was well worth it! We are happy that of the 96 children in our program, only 18 were infested!

One small boy, John Benga, age 6, was so infested that two team members worked on his feet for nearly four hours and removed more than 40 jiggers. After four hours, we could not remove all of the jiggers and egg sacs because we felt Johnny had taken enough trauma for the day. We medicated and bandaged his feet and will follow up with him in a few days to see how he is progressing and to make certain the remaining jiggers died while being soaked in disinfectant.

And so, with lollipops, hugs, and cuddles, all the children got through the digging. Each child was assessed and given antibiotics, if needed, and every child was given a bag with Vitamins C and E for the healing of their skin. Then we washed the feet of the remaining 78 children and they were ready for new socks and shoes! Overall, 96 sets of socks and shoes were distributed. The joy and excitement on the faces of these dear little ones made this day a greater blessing than we could have ever imagined! They jumped, skipped, laughed, and played in their warm and comfy new socks and shoes – even after we had just dug at their feet!

Then, we called the mothers from the children’s homes that had been fumigated and handed out 24 brand new, clean mattresses for the children to sleep on in their homes. These families are so blessed by your gifts to them and wish to send their thanks and love to you all for thinking of them and their children! Many of those treated and cared for went to the Village Elder to express their gratitude to Open Arms International. The Village Elder formally extends his thanks to OAI and its partners on behalf of Kambi Teso for our medical services and for taking care of the children through the feeding program.

Thank you to all of our partners who generously gave to this important Jigger Digger event. You are making such a great and significant difference in these precious lives!

Blessings,

Rachel Gallagher

President and Founder of Open Arms International