Finding the shoe that fits just right

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - More than 1 200 pairs of shoes as part of a Shoes for Hope initiative were distributed to needy primary school learners in the Garden Route recently by Western Cape Provincial Parliament Speaker Masizole Mnqasela.

Mnqasela, in collaboration with Youth4LifeSA and Samaritan's Feet, launched the shoe drive along the Garden Route, with Phakamisani Primary School in Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay and Brackenhill Primary School in Knysna among the recipients.

"The aim is to connect with the children and give them hope - this is why those distributing the shoes wash each child's feet before putting the shoes on them," said Mnqasela.

"For any country to succeed, it needs to prioritise education of its population through empowering programmes, thereby making education fashionable."

Since the start of the collaboration with Youth4Life SA and Samaritan's Feet SA, Mnqasela has participated in the distribution of thousands of pairs of school shoes to children at crèches and primary schools across the province.

He said their core focus is to serve impoverished children who don't have shoes. Their approach is one of not merely giving shoes, but of giving hope, because what these children hunger for more than anything else is hope.

"When donating shoes to kids, we focus on connection. Because positive connection, both physical and emotional, makes an enormous impact on their lives. We spend time with them, washing and caring for their feet. We connect with their hearts, encouraging their hopes and dreams, and reminding them that their lives matter," he said.

"Ours is a happy and hope-filled effort - aiming to protect and serve both the feet and hearts of the children. Ultimately, we're about changing lives. Those of the kids, our volunteers and our partners."

Soft-shoe shuffle… Bitou Mayor Dave Swart joins the choir of Phakamisani Primary School in Kwanokuthula and other dignitaries showing the moves during a shoe drive at the school recently.