I have never known about this infestation called jiggerbugs until one night in kenya at our worship service. Every night was special in Kenya because we worshiped for two hours straight. One night we were blessed to hear many of the orphans testimonies during our worship service. We heard how the Lord led them to Pastor Kefa, who brought them to the orphanage. We heard how many fathers were killed, and how mothers couldn't properly take care of their children all on their own. One story that stood out in particular to me was from this boy named John. John is an all star. He kills it on the soccer field, he is on his school team, loves volleyball. You can tell he's an athlete. Sometimes I like to watch how people worship differently, and John captured me in the way that he never stopped looking up when he worshiped. So when John got up to tell his testimony, I was so intrigued. He said that he was found on the street, and that his father died and mother couldn't take care of him. Pastor Kefa then expanded on his story and told us that he was found around the age of 3 eating things he shouldn't be, and that he was so unclean. This kind of uncleanliness leads to this infestation of the jiggerbug. This bug typically is found on toes and fingers. It literally eats out you nails, and eats into your fingers. Can you believe this actually happens?!?!I had no idea there was such a thing! This story ended with everyone in the room clapping because John glows now, I mean he is healthy, clean, happy, extremely athletic. PRAISE GOD.
But those pictures at the top of the page aren't of John. This little child I met the day after I heard John's story. He was standing up against a wall with no one around. He wasn't apart of the orphanage but I guess he comes by sometimes to play. I'm so thankful he came by this day. This little boy was such a blessing. He was so lovable. He couldn't speak, but he reached to be held, he loved hugs, and he had the most precious smile. After playing with him for a little bit, we sat down. I looked down at his toes, and was afraid to find that one toe was infested with a jiggerbug. There was no nail left, and half of his toe was missing. This broke my heart. I already heard his stomach growling, and then I find that his toe is constantly being eaten at by these bugs?!? I know this didn't solve the problem, but at the time I didn't know what to do, I washed his feet and put a band aid on his toe. He felt so uncomfortable when I put his foot under the water(especially the foot with the jiggerbug). I know this wasn't enough to make any long term hygiene difference, but I pray so badly that he ends up like John. I hope he glows just like that.
I really just wanted to write this post to make people aware of the living conditions there. Here in America, we can wash our feet with clean water, and buy a new pair of shoes every couple of months. Please please don't take this for granted, count that as a blessing.
I found this website on the bugs, and what people are doing to help this problem. I want to share it with you, but I want to warn you that it is gross, and if your sensitive to cuts I wouldn't look at it. But this is something I never knew about. I hope this problem will become more public, and that we can find a way to help.
http://www.jigger-ahadi.org/Ahadi_Presentation.pdf
Thanks for reading, and hopefully sharing to others about this problem. It means so much!
In Christ alone,
Brianne Anderson
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