My name is Jenna and I own 26 pairs of shoes. The worst part is that I probably only wear 7 (or possibly fewer) of those on a regular basis.
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I was definitely surprised at the realization that there are children running around the streets barefoot 24/7, in conditions much worse than they are here. As I was walking to the University of Minnesota campus the other day, I was more acutely aware of all the dangers on the streets and sidewalks. I was wearing a pair of extremely worn filp flops at the time, and I could sometimes feel the jagged stones and broken glass go through the bottom of my shoe. Now the pain wasn’t excruciating, but feeling glass THROUGH the bottom of a shoe?? And then thinking that there are kids who feel this all day everyday WITHOUT shoes??? It really opened my eyes to a luxury that I have taken for granted.
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All physical pain aside…what hit me the most was the idea that, because children do not have shoes, they are often denied an education because they aren’t allowed into the schools. Now, I’m a teacher and I highly value education. If there’s one way to break free from the cycle of poverty it is to become educated. So, if by buying ONE pair of shoes, one can possibly give the gift of education, and freedom, to a child who otherwise would be denied that opportunity…
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…sounds like the ultimate No Child Left Behind act to me.
Awesome post Jenna!