I’m guessing most of you didn’t know that today is National Shoe The World Day?
Each day, over 500 million children, teens and adults around the world do not have a pair of shoes to wear, and despite the terrain and the climate, they have to walk barefoot everywhere. It is a struggle each day that we cannot begin to imagine. Having to live a daily life without protection on your feet can lead to a lifetime of problems including pain, injury, cuts, sores, infections, parasites. Schools and business ban students and customers without shoes. A stigma becomes attached who do not have proper footwear effecting their health, education and financial well being. One issue leads to another, creating a never ending cycle.
There are a few who are fortunate enough to have one pair of shoes even though they are much too big for them. This way, their shoes will last for many years as they grow, and they are only allowed to be worn for special occasions. In other cases, they may have one pair of shoes that are too small and tight for them (they will make them work) but to have a pair at all is a luxury.
While in Africa I saw many children running around without shoes where there was cow manure and animal feces in their areas of play. Adults walking the streets carrying supplies barefoot and even some with one shoe on and one shoe off.
Adults walking the streets carrying supplies barefoot and even some with one shoe on and one shoe off.
There are people all over the world though living day to day without shoes to wear – something most of us take for granted.
On this National Shoe the World Day why not take the time to DONATE a pair of shoes, whether gently used or a new pair? To find out how, go to Soles4Souls and do your part. If you don’t have the time to donate today, that’s ok, any day of the week or year is a good time.
Making others aware is always a good thing and you can even make it fun by creating these High Heel Cupcakes that I shared 4 years ago. They’re super easy to make, and even more fun to create your own designs. Adults and children will all have fun coming up with their own style of shoe to create. But let’s not forget the real reason for this fun project – to help others in need of a pair of shoes.
Do something good and donate a pair of gently used or new pair of shoes today to Soles4Souls and make someones day! Then share with family, friends, and neighbors your own special treat by creating these High Heel Cupcakes!
Use the collage below to match with numbers in the recipe for a pictorial detail.