Another Reason To Love Carter

In the headlines in the last few days is the story that the 39th President has passed on at the ripe old age of 100. Many of the things he did for the world, not just the US, have been highlighted. But they missed one very important for African countries.

We privileged lot seem to think that nothing matters if it happens outside of North America. But I can assure you in this world, we all depend on each other and Carter knew about how truly ‘invisible’ the poor really are.

For example, we take clean drinking water for granted. The irony is in the years to come with global warming, we will all be faced with water conservation and in some areas, they will be buying water which just seems so hard to believe.

One of the nasty side effects of unclean water is what lives within it. Those in impoverished areas do not always understand what they can do to safely protect themselves and since they have little choice in hot countries, have to deal with questionable water.

Carter took on what lives in that water and did so way back in 1986. If you have never heard of the Guinea Worm, that is understandable. He took on an unpopular cause since there was no votes in it for him. He just cared about poor people who needed help for something very basic, clean water with no worries.

But 3.6 million cases is hard to ignore. It was brought to his attention and just like every other cause he believed in, he went to bat for the disadvantaged. He would not let this horrible invasion of the human body go unnoticed.

It erupts as huge blisters and is very painful, usually on the leg or foot and can occupy the body for months or even for the rest of a person’s life. The worm can grow to around 3 feet and is even found in uncooked or improperly prepared fish.

A person with this worm in their foot or leg can wade in water and that will cause a female worm to release hundreds of eggs. So education about this and methods like filtering water became the norm for the Carter people.

By December 2024, only 11 cases remain that are known, thanks to Carter. There are other countries now indicating this could be an issue and they too are inspired to help the victims and to educate. Now that’s a legacy.