We are so excited to share with you that Sole Hope has a permanent home in Jinja, Uganda!  We have a blank canvas of land and are so excited about building it to meet the needs of Ugandans for years to come. 

Since 2010 Sole Hope has been exploring the best way to attack the problem of jiggers in Eastern Uganda. It has been a dream of Asher (founder) from the beginning to set up a location as a jigger clinic and refuge. This is absolutely unheard of in Uganda because of the stigma and shame that come with having jiggers. Existing hospitals and clinics turn away jigger patients regularly. 

We believe we have found the foothold (pun intended) that will prove to be successful in treating the several hundred thousand affected by jiggers in the coming years as well as continue to provide jobs to Ugandans through shoemaking, tailoring, nursing, and all of the other important pieces that make up Sole Hope Uganda. 

The goal is to move all operations (currently running out of two rented facilities and the Collie's home) to the land.  Having all of Sole Hope's operations in one place will help with overall efficiencies and long term financial savings.  

This is quite the undertaking and breaking up into phases will help give priority to the most important pieces so that we can continue to treat those suffering from jiggers. 

Here’s how you can help Build Hope:

1) Buy 5 bricks for $5.  Or two.  Or 6. Or a Bundle for $250.  This is a huge undertaking, but we can do it together--brick by brick.   (Purchase a brick by clicking "Donate"!)

2) Tell your friends.  Tweet, post, email, shout really loud . . . we need everyone to share our affiliate link.  We need to sell around 500,000 of these to get the whole job done.   

3) Shop.  No, really.  The catch is that you have to do it through the Pure Charity website's online partners (like GAP, Target, J. Crew & Apple).  They will donate a percentage to your Online Giving Fund which then you pass on to this project.   

WHO IS SOLE HOPE?

Sole Hope (established 2010) is a non-profit organization with a focused effort in Uganda to battle the problem of jiggers. Jiggers are small sand fleas 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. 

Sole Hope’s mission is “Offering HOPE, healthier lives, and freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief.“

Asher (the founder) and Dru Collie (executive director) and their six children have been living in Jinja, Uganda serving locals along with their volunteers and team of workers for more than 2 years now. 

Sole Hope provides:

1) Closed-toe shoes to children in Uganda to protect their feet from jiggers.

2) Education on preventing and treating jiggers for children and their care givers.

3) Medical care – removing jiggers from children's feet, treating the wounds, testing for HIV, Typhoid, Malaria, and other diseases.

4) Jobs to men and women in Uganda – teaching the trade of shoe-making and providing employment in the local communities.

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Quick links to all Build Hope phases