In The Gambia there are hundreds of children infected with parasitic diseases transmitted through contaminated soil that could be prevented by wearing proper footwear, if they had some! Shoes are needed and all young children in Cumbria will outgrow several pair of shoes a year. By donating them to our BIG little Shoe Appeal we can ship them to The Gambia and give them to the poorest of the poor so we can help eliminate the epidemic of unnecessary death.

There are many diseases contracted and spread due to bare feet and the inability of the poor to obtain shoes. The most prevalent among them are soil-transmitted helminth (STH). These are a 6 group of parasitic infections of the intestine caused by nematode worms. STH is the most prevalent of a neglected disease and is responsible for significant morbidity and, indirectly, mortality in poor developing countries like The Gambia. The combination of periodic drug treatment, health education, and provision of adequate sanitation is a common strategy to control soil-transmitted infections. A better solution is needed. The spread of STH can also be slowed with shoes. Where drugs can be expensive to research and develop, shoes can be more quickly and easily obtained and delivered. Children are dying without shoes we are able to provide. We can help improve, and even save, the lives of hundreds with donated shoes and hygiene education. Please help us help them.