Arts and Culture Minister and chairperson of Vincent Tshabalala Education
 Trust, Paul Mashitile during a shoe drop off in Alexandra

Shoes for hope

By Sharon Mathabatha

Put foot foundation 2013 Shoe drive conducted their last shoe drop at Emfundisweni Primary School in Alexandra, donating 1000 brand new school shoes to the less privileged learners. They have been on the road for a week and have donated close to 4000 school shoes. They started distributing in Cape Town, Grahamstown, Durban and ended in Johannesburg. The Put Foot Foundation is a volunteer based, Public Beneficiary Organisation (PBO) born out of the need to tackle the daily plight and indignity of children with no shoes.

The Foundation was founded in 2012 by three young South Africans, Daryn Hillhouse, Mike Sharman and Dan Nash. They have collaborated with Wachizungu and Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust for the Put foot rally where participants travelled the Southern African countries in 20 days raising funds for the charity. “As a charity we believe that a foundation for a bright future is a brand new pair of school shoes. A child with new school shoes has hope, pride and dignity and these are a building blocks to a positive future.” Said Daryn Hillhouse, Put Foot Foundation MD.

Minister of Arts and Culture and Chairperson of Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust, Paul Mashatile took time out of his busy schedule to be part of this initiative. Born and bred in Alexandra Mashatile has had experience with going to school without shoes, hence he values the importance of giving back. “When I was in school in the late 60’s I had no school shoes, so I know how it feels not to have school shoes. This is a great initiative.” He said.

Seventy five percent of the learners at the school come from poor households, where they hardly afford to buy school uniform let alone school shoes kids end up going to school with takkies on. This has been reported to have a psychological effect on the learners, resulting to poor academic performance. “I am very happy and grateful for what Put Foot Foundation has done for the kids. Most of the kids are from poor background where the parents are unemployed and cannot afford to buy school shoes, parents are going to be happy, as I am happy.” Said Principal Thembekazi Giyana