We started the CHaRA worm prevention and good hygiene program for primary schools of Unguja Zanzibar in 2010. A little girl came to a health clinic CHaRA sponsored. While she was waiting for the doctor she vomited live-moving worms. After research and prayer we decided this is a direction we should take, helping children to live worm free. Worms create big health problems including anemia. It also can keep sick kids from attending school. One way we found we could help was by teaching students about hygiene and how wearing shoes can prevent infections and worms. If we were going to teach the importance of wearing shoes then we need to give the students shoes.

At our first distribution we gave 500 pairs of “flip flops” or “malapas” and provided de-worm medicine given by our nurse team. There was a huge crowd and we did not have enough shoes. That day a teacher from the school was there with a great idea, give shoes at the schools. A nurse on our team asked if we knew about the TOMS One for One program.

In 2011 we surveyed 3 rural primary schools, we found 95% of students were not wearing shoes. At the end of 2016 we surveyed these same schools to find  95% -100% of students are now wearing shoes!

Thanks to TOMS Shoes we are able to provide 124 schools shoes twice a year. Because of TOMS we continue to teach and give shoes. 129,795 pairs in 2016.

THANK YOU CHaRA TEAM ~ THANK YOU TOMS ~ THANK YOU MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ZANZIBAR.