A MILE FOR SHOES
School Shoe Project for Bare Little Feet
School Children in South Africa
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Every Day, more than 70% of South African school
going children walk to school.
Public transport is often scarce, especially in rural areas,
and if such transport exists, it is unaffordable.
Many children come from very poor homes, where there
is often not enough money to buy food, let alone pay
for the costs of education, clothing and shoes.
Increasingly, the effects of AIDS is being felt, with many
young children being left orphaned, with no adults to
look after them. These child headed households are
faced with the problem that they are too young to earn
an income, yet they need to eat, and go to school in
order to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty.
Many underprivileged children, despite their
circumstances, walk many kilometres on a daily basis to
get to and from school.
School Shoes
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In the South African schooling system, it is
compulsory to wear school uniforms to school.
While this is intended to make all children feel
equal and create a sense of unity, in poor
communities this is usually not possible.
Many poor families cannot afford uniforms for
their children, and as a result these children are
humiliated for not having shoes or appropriate
clothes.
As a result some children are so embarrassed
by their poverty that they chose not to go to
school.
There is currently no Government program to
assist these children with uniforms and shoes.
A Mile for Shoes Project - Inspiration
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The idea for the project was started by myself, Caroline Koll
and a friend Billy Sehume. We are both out running and
cycling early in the mornings on the roads as part of our
training, and everyday we see small children walking
barefoot to school, even on the coldest days of the year.
We felt inspired to help these children, who ask for nothing,
have little, yet are motivated to get an education.
Even though we both come from modest backgrounds, we are
both firm believers in helping those who have less than
ourselves.
Instead of donating resources to already established large
organisations (where funds are often misused, or take months
to reach the needy), we have decided to be actively involved
ourselves, and develop a relationship with a school whom we
know is in desperate need, and receives no other assistance.
A Mile for Shoes Project - Aims
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We aim to obtain at least 100 pairs of school
shoes for the start of the new school year in
January 2011.
Ultimately, through the support of family,
friends and kind hearted people from around
the world we would like to extend the project to
cover as many schools in our area.
Padi Intermediate School, a farm school near
Potchefstroom (North West Province), is a school
which we have identified, and would like to
initiate the project.
* Please see official letter from the school
principal below
We hope, that through giving these shoes, we
can develop a generation of children filled with
hope and inspiration.
Padi Intermediate School
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Official Letter from Principal:
Sir/Madam
Padi Intermediate School
P.O Box 11150
Riverwalk
2538
Tel: +27 (0)83 493 8411
Please be informed that the school mentioned above is in dire need of any kind of help you can offer.
We are situated 7km away from Potchefstroom along the Parys Road. The school is on a farm called Modderdam
and learners thereof are been classified among the poorest of the poor.
Total number of learners is 402 classes start from Grade R to Grade10.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours Faithfully.
M.C. Scheepers
A Mile for Shoes – A little about us
Billy Sehume is 42yrs old, works in IT at a
national bank in South Africa. He grew
up in the townships, and currently resides
in Benoni, East of Johannesburg, with his
wife and two children. He is passionate
about photography and sports. Two
years ago he met Caroline in the local
pool, and she taught him to swim for the
first time. He has run the Comrades
Marathon 6 times and has the dream of
one day doing the Ironman Triathlon.
Caroline Koll, 34 yrs old is a Professional
Triathlete, and the current 2010 South
African Elite Champion. She has travelled
extensively across the world to compete,
and while improving on her successes, she
wishes to bring the world’s attention back
to South Africa. She trains with Billy in the
gym, when in South Africa. They now both
wish to help someone else...
Website: www.carolinekoll.com
A Mile for Shoes – The Wish List
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A pair of school shoes costs in the region of R
We appeal to individuals or corporates to
donate a pair of shoes, or provide us with
monetary donations with which we will
purchase shoes. (We will ensure that accurate
records and receipts are kept, and keep all
donors updated on progress).
All shoes will be personally delivered by us to
the school.
Marketing – The project will be marketed on
my website (www.carolinekoll.co.za), which
carries a readership of about1500 hits. I
would be happy to promote any company or
individual who wishes to have the exposure in
exchange for generous participation in the
project. There is also the possibility of media
coverage.
Contact Information
For all additional information:
Contact: Caroline Koll
E-mail: carokoll@tiscali.co.za
Mobile: +27 84 471 4643