Haiti – Worm Warriors

“Worm Warriors” examines the issue of intestinal parasites through following the stories of individuals who are working to solve the worm problem. Through these stories we’ll understand its history, current approaches to solving the worm problem, and see why deworming programs are so critical for developing countries.

In Haiti we meet Aaron Jackson, a 27 year-old from Florida who has taken on the cause of deworming. Jackson, who grew up wealthy in Florida, is determined to make a difference — with or without the help of larger aid organizations, or the Haitian government. Jackson and members of his grass-roots organization travel to Haiti and hand out pills to anyone who might be at risk for, or is suffering from the effects of intestinal worms. Jackson’s unorthodox “just do it” approach has won him acclaim from CNN, and support from Hollywood actor Rainn Wilson, who we follow in Haiti with Jackson.

“Worm Warriors” sees Haiti, before and after the 2010 earthquake, presenting a unique challenge to Jackson and other organizations. When we first meet Aaron in November 2009, he is embarking on an ambitious effort to deworm every child in Haiti – over 3 million people. We then return in June 2010 to check on his progress, and to see how the earthquake has affected his efforts. We visit with children and parents once infected with worms, and talk with them about how deworming has changed their lives. We visit rural areas, like the small village of Madame Beaugé, where the water is dirty, and worms are rampant, the people are all but forgotten by both government and aid organizations. Jackson, his partner John Dieubon, and Rainn Wilson distribute deworming pills.

“Worm Warriors” brings the viewer face-to-face with a critical international health issue, one that can be easily treated once the cause and the cure are understood. Through the efforts of individuals such as Jackson and others, we see that deworming does work in many developing countries around the world.