Abibual is a healthcare worker and the owner of a shoe workshop in the North Gojjam Zone in Ethiopia. His goal is to produce affordable, large-size, and comfortable shoes for individuals suffering from podoconiosis, a painful condition leading to the swelling of the feet and legs.
“Growing up in a podoconiosis area, I’ve always been deeply concerned about the suffering of podo patients. After completing my training, I immediately began treating them. One of my first cases was a 15-year-old boy who stood out because he was barefoot. After treating him, I made a pair of shoes for him using local materials. That success inspired me to open a shoe workshop to produce more shoes for podo patients,” said Abibual.
To help deepen his understanding of this disease, Abibual completed a three-day training on podoconiosis prevention and treatment provided by IOCC. This program seeks to educate the local population about common risks and smart hygiene practices. Through this program, Abibual also receives ongoing guidance and technical support for his workshop.
Abibual shared, “The training and support I received from IOCC enables me to produce custom-made shoes for podo patients and to meet their specific needs. Helping these patients brings me more satisfaction than anything else.”
