It is well-known the act of charity can be a rewarding and satisfying act. However, what makes TNF stand out from a long line of organisations, is its emphasis on social and economic impact.
Skechers
In 2017, The Nourafchan Foundation (TNF) and the Skechers Foundation collaborated to improve and save lives of at risk youth by providing 200 shoes donated by Skechers to children based in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya (Africa’s largest slum). These unique light up shoes provide life-changing assistance and unquantifiable joy to many children who have never owned a new pair of shoes.
One of the major problems in Kibera is the unsanitary living conditions that are accentuated by the fact that the majority of individuals especially children cannot afford proper shoes. This foot to ground exposure can put people at a higher risk of lifestyle and health issues, including jiggers.
A jigger is a type of parasitic flea that attacks soft areas of the skin, such as the web of toes and fingers, and spreads to other parts of the body if it remains untreated. The jigger initially causes only an itchy irritation, but as it sucks blood from its victim, the bug grows bigger and multiplies, causing severe inflammation and ulceration in the victim's skin. The wounds left after a jigger is removed can become painful cracks, which attract more jiggers if they are not properly disinfected. Heavy infestations can lead to gangrene, sepsis, the loss of toenails, amputation of digits, and even death. And advocates fear jigger victims are at a higher risk of HIV transmissions since many share pins while attempting to remove their jiggers.
An estimated 2.6 million Kenyans are infected with jiggers. Some 1.5 million children cannot go to school because of the scourge. Poverty is a major cause, as unsanitary living conditions are believed to be the major source of jiggers. Those with jigger infestations face a negative stigma from the community since many regard victims of jiggers as cursed, which causes strong local stigma that keeps jigger victims isolated and unable to participate in their communities. According to the Kenyan Minister of Public Health, over 10 million Kenyans are currently at risk for exposure to jiggers. That number will likely increase in the near future if proper health measures are not taken. Providing shoes will be a panacea against the scourge of jiggers amongst the poor.