Carry the Jerry for #ZEROjiggers

Jinja, Eastern Region, Uganda

$1,552

Amount Raised

About this Fundraiser

Jiggers are parasites that burrow into the bare feet of thousands of Ugandan children who often live their lives without adequate footwear and a misconception about the cause of jiggers. The result is infection, gangrene, paralysis, and occasionally amputation and even death.

A graphic, heartbreaking YouTube video exposed the truth about jiggers to my wife Asher Collie. Her love of children and her desire to help others compelled her to start Sole Hope, a ministry who’s mission is “Offering HOPE, healthier lives, and freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief.“

Through medical and education initiatives as well as training the art of shoemaking to many, Sole Hope is restoring HOPE to children and adults both physically and spiritually.

I was inspired by a good friend a few months ago who was raising money to drill wells in Sudan. I took his idea (with permission) and put a twist on it.

On December 1st through December 31st, I will be carrying a full jerry can (approx. 50 lbs.) 3.7 miles (the average a child walks for clean water) everyday to raise awareness of the women and children who do the same thing each day with the pain of jiggers in their feet. I will be posting pics and short videos each day on my personal twitter account.

Most of us can not fathom what it would be like to walk that far for water.... now take it a step further and imagine doing it with the disabling pain of jiggers in your feet. It is a fact of life for so many children living in Eastern Uganda.

I started this fundraiser on Pure Charity to raise $2000. Every penny of this goes to fund educational pieces that will be key to affecting the problem of jiggers long term.

Most of those affected by jiggers believe there is no hope for them. They believe they are caused by witchcraft or curses on their homes and villages. If there is to be any kind of long term change education around jiggers needs to happen.

Donors will receive updates on the progress of the educational pieces:

A cartoon short to show children that instructs on wearing shoes, good habits for your feet, and what to do if you get jiggers.
A informational story cube for a community spelling out what jiggers are, what jiggers are not, what causes them, and how to prevent them.
Small instructional books for caretakers to be handed out with safety pins for safe jigger removal in the home.

I'm asking everyone I know to donate at least $4 (about $1 per mile). If you are feeling super generous you could donate $115 representing the total amount of miles I will carry the jerry.