Before becoming Executive Director of Mossy Foot Project in Ethiopia, Zebdewos was a high school science teacher, principal, and then school superintendent. He truly understands and values the impact of education and has a real love for students. I appreciate Zebdewos’s ingenuity in helping raise the awareness of mossy foot disease among young people.
Efrem is a young boy whose father brought him to our headquarters for treatment. Because of the condition of his feet, he had been taunted and bullied so severely by the other students at his school that he dropped out of school for a year, but he has now returned for seventh grade.
Our Mossy Foot team went to Areka town to check on Efrem’s improvement and to give him a good pair of leather shoes. While in Areka, Zebdewos arranged with the school principal to have an assembly for the student body, teaching them about the cause and prevention of mossy foot disease.
Students come to Areka from many surrounding villages so now this information will be widely disseminated. This information will help those needing treatment to know where they can find care. Additionally, it will help to decrease the stigma that those afflicted with mossy foot disease endure.
Efrem with his new leather shoes
In addition to information, the Mossy Foot Project staff have been able to help children of our mossy foot patients with tangible gifts of school supplies. The smiles on their faces speak a world of thanks!
Students excited to use their new supplies!
We are so grateful for the hope and healing that the Mossy Foot team is bringing to both young and old in Ethiopia.
We are also grateful for how your continued love and support makes these outreaches possible.
Mossy Foot Project
President