In 2015, The D. Gary Young, Young Living Foundation partnered with Sole Hope to help tackle a debilitating issue in Eastern Uganda by empowering children through wellness and education.
Thousands of Ugandan children and adults are victims of parasitic insects called jiggers. A female jigger will burrow into the feet and multiply by the hundreds within the soft tissue of the skin. The resulting wounds can become so excruciating that normal childhood activities—such as walking, running, playing, and even attending school—can be significantly limited.
Many people in Uganda believe that jiggers are the result of witchcraft or a curse, and they think there is no hope for those who are impacted. This social stigma often keeps people from seeking immediate help. Furthermore, hospitals often turn away jigger patients. Without the education and tools Sole Hope provides, this cycle would continue.
Individuals with the worst cases of jiggers are brought to the Sole Hope Outreach House, where they receive extensive, around-the-clock care. Each day they receive treatment for jiggers and other medical conditions. They also receive education, so when they return home, they are empowered to treat any future cases of jiggers themselves. This program has been so successful that the Foundation is funding the building of a new Sole Hope Outreach House that overlooks the Nile River!
With Sole Hope, we believe that the 200-year jigger tragedy in Uganda can be reduced and systematically wiped out—and you can help with this positive transformation!