Jiggers, known as Tunga penetrans or chigoe fleas, are parasitic in most tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is a menace that affects many children and adults who live in impoverished areas in Africa. The infestation is localized in the feet and hands, causing severe difficulty walking and reducing the infected person's ability to work normally.

Poor hygiene is one of the major causes of the infestation. Children are the most affected by jiggers since they may not take good care of themselves. Children from impoverished communities who are infected have difficulty walking and thus miss out on school and extracurricular activities. They usually isolate themselves from other children due to shame and stigmatization.

For adults, the inability to use parts of the body affected due to pain in the infected areas hampers normal, economically productive activities. Its complications affect mobility and can cause disability and even death, especially among children.

Using Potassium permanganate solution, PIPES has treated over 3000  patients in Africa. The organization ensures prevention measures by creating awareness and promoting environmental and personal hygiene to avoid jigger breeding and infestation.

Due to measures taken, we've witnessed adults being more economically active, cleaner homes, and more students attending school.

To successfully fight the jigger menace, we use a mufti-sectoral approach, and active community involvement and participation are also necessary to identify and address the underlying causes of jigger infestation among the affected households in the area.
We have developed a manual which is available for use in any community.