Thirteen years old and just receiving your first pair of shoes, EVER. This is the story of our friend. And he isn’t alone, for many this is their norm. Can you wrap your brain around that? Walking the streets barefoot for your first 13-14 years of life? And what would it feel like to finally put shoes on your feet for the first time after so many years without?
This is the reality for many. When we visited Western Kenya this last September we were reminded once again about the desperate need for shoes as we attended several jigger clinics. Children lined up by the hundreds to get their jigger-infested feet treated.
You see, jiggers live in the dirt, they burrow under the skin and lay eggs, the larvae spreads, they multiply, they itch, and eat away at the skin leaving big open, puss filled, sores. If left untreated toes can be damaged beyond repair. Once these jiggers take up residence within the body it becomes painful and itchy. The person affected loses sleep and any sort of comfort, it can literally drive you mad.
Shoes can really help to resolve this problem. By covering the feet the jiggers are unable to get to the vulnerable skin. One pair of shoes dramatically reduces the risk of jiggers. ONE pair of shoes. It is that simple. $10 can help keep a child’s feet protected for up to a year easily. Jigger free feet mean children can get a good nights rest. Jigger free feet mean children can walk themselves to school. Children attending school means they can achieve their dreams of a career.
This project brings the BIGGEST smiles. These kids are so delighted to have proper shoes. Just look at those smiles!
Our Giving Catalog project is listed at $50 - that amount covers 5 pairs of shoes for 5 kiddos. Here is the link to the Giving Catalog: Shoe Drive Project
If you can’t swing that you can easily click on the donate link and give a smaller amount to it - just make sure you leave a comment of what project you want it to go to: general donation page
We understand that this time of year can be stressful for many - giving financially may not be an option. There are still plenty of options for you to get involved in helping to make a difference.
prayer is powerful
sharing the different needs and giving options with friends in person, on FB, through email or messenger.
making your Amazon purchases on Amazon Smile and selecting Pamoja Love as your charity of choice.
We have had several Pamoja Love support team members come up with creative ways to raise funds for projects. Several chose it as birthday gift options. A member of our dream team is getting married and suggested people give to Pamoja Love in lieu of gifts. Others are donating their skills and talents to save us money from hiring the work to be done. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas other people come up with. We would love to hear your ideas!
We still have a few more project areas to cover before Giving Tuesday. So keep checking back! Share, share, share.
Here are a couple of the other project areas to check out: (just click the title and it will redirect you)