But Why Can’t They Just Go Barefoot?

This is a common misconception. It is true that many poor people must live without footwear in many countries in the world. If no shoes are worn the feet will toughen somewhat with callouses thickening the skin but health problems can easily be the end result.

The unfortunate truth is that many health conditions can occur even in the toughest of feet. As the skin toughens and thickens large cracks can form. Also, parasite infections such as hookworm and threadworm can penetrate the skin while constant cuts and scrapes to the feet and ankles frequently become infected. Some of these infections can even lead to ulcers which can take years to heal. While the hazards are not necessarily apparent from the surface they can result in major health problems for those unable to access appropriate footwear.

To learn more about these conditions just click on the links above.

A Demanding Life

The children in Congo do a lot of walking throughout the average day. With no vehicles to drive them around the only way to get from one place to another is to walk.

Walking to school…
Walking to collect sticks for fires…
Walking around campus…
Walking to collect water…
Walking to wash clothes in the lake…

Between work and play this adds up to a lot of mileage every single day.

Footwear in Africa is also going to be exposed to a wide variety of circumstances. Each of the children will likely only have one pair of footwear and this pair will be used, rain or shine; at work and at play.

A well rounded shoe is required. One that can walk through water and mud and then be cleaned easily. One that gives the foot adequate support and protection over difficult terrain. One that is sturdy and won’t fall apart under all of these stresses…

Sarah Dible, the daughter of Dr. Barry Wecker (Project Director), is a physiotherapist who has taken a real interest in the children’s program. Having spent several years of her childhood growing up in Rwanda, Africa, Sarah knows well what is needed in children’s footwear in Africa.

What kind of footwear did she recommend?

Crocs are fantastic for the children in the area.

They are durable and comfortable
They are cool to wear, even on hot days.
They are easily cleaned and aren’t ruined by water or mud.

They are truly a perfect fit for the kids on the island campus.

So What’s Being Done?

Once she realized how Crocs would be the ideal shoe for the children Sarah set to work collecting pairs to be distributed to the children of Idjwi. Used or new… all sizes… all colors. Having collected roughly 50 pair of Crocs thus far Sarah has made a great contribution towards the wellbeing of the kids.

Click Here to find out more about her “Crocs for Orphan Tots” program.