大象传媒

大象传媒 World Service
Last updated:聽14 september, 2009 - 12:23 GMT

Jiggers

The story of a young boy called Amani Karisa has touched the hearts of many Kenyans.

Thirteen year old Amani lives in Malindi on the coast. According to the government, he is just one of a growing number of people in the country who've been infected with jiggers.

These are tiny fleas which often infect the feet of people living in poor, remote areas who don't wear shoes.

But Amani's jigger infection was particularly severe because his parents did not seek medical treatment for him.

They said it would be against their religion and left the boy in a room for nearly a year before neighbours alerted the authorities.

The parents have now been convicted of neglect and sent to prison.

Outlook reporter Michael Kaloki went to visit Amani in hospital.

Amani has recently been discharged from hospital and moved to a children's home.

One person who followed Amani's story closely was the former Kenyan beauty queen Cecilia Mwangi, who campaigns tirelessly to educate people about how to tackle jigger infections.