The Jig is Up!

I know it looks like Rose is giving me a pedicure in the picture above but what she’s really doing is digging a jigger out of my big toe. Jiggers are very common here and typically like to burrow their way into your skin where they lay eggs which hatch into flesh eating worms. They especially like to live under the toe nails. Are you grossed out yet? The key is to get the egg sac out before it hatches. Rose is the official jigger digger here and did a great job of removing the sac without breaking it. Thank you Rose! Because the children here go barefoot they often have jigger infested toes and feet which are unfortunately neglected and therefore develop into painful, unsightly and sometimes dangerous conditions. I saw one child’s jigger eaten foot a few days ago and wondered how he could even walk at all. Many natives have no toenails whatsoever due to extensive jigger history. I can pretty much guarantee that I'll never forget this!