Podo (short for podoconiosis) is a grotesquely disfiguring and socially ostracizing disease that affects over one million people in Ethiopia. Podo is NOT an infection. Rather, Podo is caused by prolonged barefoot esposure to irritant soil in areas of extreme poverty where people are too poor to afford shoes. People with Podo are humiliated by the grotesque appearance and terrible smell of their feet. Many are shuned and excluded from church, mosque, school, and society. This causes terrible psychological pain. The incidence of Podo in certain highland areas of western Ethiopia may are as high as 8%. While there is no cure for the disease, it is preventable simply by wearing shoes and maintaning good foot hygiene.
How we help
THAF is currently supporting treatment programs in western Ethiopia. Work is being done in schools to educate students regarding the causes of the disease. This enables children to take action, wear shoes, and share what they have learned with their families. Many people are now coming out of hiding and asking for our help. These people are provided with education, treatment and shoes. We work alongside organizations which furnish shoes to children for the prevention of the disease. A gift of $50(USD) is all that is needed to provide a Podo patient with treatment for an entire year-including shoes.
PODO (short for Podoconiosis), is a grotesquely disfiguring and socially ostracizing disease that affects over one million people in Ethiopia. It is 100 percent preventable by simply wearing shoes and maintaining good foot hygiene.