At Heart and Sole Africa, we believe that educating the next generation is key to preventing future podoconiosis cases. In the past, we partnered with another local nonprofit, Conservation Heritage Turambe, to bring preventative education curricula into local classrooms, and we look forward to reaching more classrooms in the future. Our first direct partnership is with a primary school in Kyanika, and so far we have educated grades P4-P6. Jeanne, our director of education, and Josee, one of our physiotherapists, attend schools to educate children on the true cause of podo. There still exists the misconception that podo is a contagious disease, which simultaneously ostracises patients from their community as well as deters from people’s understanding of correct preventative measures. Jeanne and Josee teach that podo is caused by the silica in the soil of this volcanic region, and engage students to think of ways to prevent podo, such as wearing shoes and washing their feet after leaving the fields. We also ask students to become ambassadors against podo when they return home, by teaching their family members to wear shoes as well as working to reduce stigma against the condition. Heart and Sole Africa brings school supplies to these children at the end of the lesson.