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The Gift of a Pair of Shoes Goes a Long Way

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In this season of festivity and goodwill, giving is high on OLLI’s list of priorities. We contemplate the perfect presents for our nearest and dearest and frivolity and fun are part of the magic we anticipate. A pair of school shoes under the Christmas Tree doesn’t quite fit those expectations and yet for many it is a gift full of significance, certainly not coal in a stocking.

In collaboration with Addo Elephant National Park, the team from One Land Love It NPC (OLLI) along with Addo Rangers regularly visit schools in conservation communities on the borders of the park. Through interaction with the children, the Rangers and OLLI the life-sized rhino, the goal is to create a positive association with the park and the wildlife and environment it protects. “Our intention is to facilitate meaningful connection with the park and conservation issues, to nurture a love and a desire to protect and enhance their environment, to instill a sense of responsible citizenship and pride – where the children really “see” the park, viewing it as an extension of their community to be defended rather than a disconnected, meaningless tract of land “beyond” the fence and their experience,” says Nikki Bolton of One Land Love It NPC.

This community lives below the breadline and depends largely on seasonal work in the citrus industry. The children face many challenges. It is hard to preach conservation when priorities are a meal on the table and a roof over your head. “Kindness is a universal language and by recognising and helping in areas of need, we demonstrate this behaviour through example, which makes it easier to share the message of the importance of kindness to the environment and wildlife,” says Laura Bolton, also from OLLI.

‘A pair of shoes can go a long way’ may seem like a trite comment, but in some communities that is literally a child’s reality. A pair of school shoes may be the only shoes a child owns. They not only protect little feet from the dusty, dirt roads they walk to get to school and back daily, but often shoes will be shared with neighbours or passed down through a family. In some cases, the same pair of shoes may be ‘adapted’ to accommodate growing feet or worn until the seams are tearing or the leather is featherweight and threadbare.

The gift of a pair of school shoes is a gift of dignity. It brings a sense of belonging and pride – that child doesn’t feel like they stand out for the wrong reasons with a pair of broken slip slops, old shoes with gaping, flapping soles or even bare feet. As the 2022 school year ended, the team and OLLI the rhino surprised children who thought they were only collecting their school reports. They spent time with the children from this community, colouring in conservation themed pictures while music played in the background and Rangers knelt to fit shoes.

With heads held noticeably higher and with sparkling eyes and an extra spring in their steps, 62 learners left their school with shiny new shoes. Thanks to a collaborative effort by many with special mention of Colchester KwikSpar and the Framesby community in Gqeberha – these children will start 2023 with confidence and a positive association with their neighbour – Addo Elephant National Park.

We often underestimate the difference that we can make. Together we can spread some goodwill and joy in this season. No child should walk to school without a pair of school shoes and there are many more in need of them – sadly some had to be turned away. Through Spar’s Bata School Shoe initiative, you can purchase a pair of school shoes (sizes 11 to 2) for R60 and direct them through One Land Love It, or donate via the website and shoes will be purchased including larger sizes to ensure that all those in need are equipped for the new year.

“Who knows where these feet will take these children one day? We hope some will go into a sustainable conservation space where both the environment and community benefit,” Wayne Bolton | Founder One Land Love It NPC

“We are so grateful for what you did today. These Learners are in dire need of shoes because some of their parents are seasonal workers whose employment ended in September, and they do not have finances to support them. It means a lot to the school, the parents and especially the Learners because they will look like the other children. Some of them do not want to come to school barefoot but now you have supported them. Thank you, thank you so much!” Ms Nobathembu Lolwana | Deputy Principal Vusumzi Primary School

“It has been such a great experience working with OLLI on this initiative. It is making a huge difference in the children’s quality of life within the school environment and is a confidence booster that we hope will spill over to increased grades and school attendance. We have received so much positive feedback from parents that were present and expressed how grateful they were for the shoes especially seeing the beaming smiles in their children’s faces.

The efforts of these activities are geared around increased awareness of community members on the need for rhino conservation and or natural resource management in and around Addo Elephant National Park. At the end of the day, the increased community engagement and awareness will provide the much-needed participation and involvement in combatting illegal activities and or wildlife crimes.

It is always very sad leaving the school knowing that there are more children in serious need of shoes, but we were unable to get to them. We hope to be able to go back and assist more children through shoes found under the Christmas tree.” Zimkhitha Zungula | Socio-Economic Transformation Officer – Addo Elephant National Park

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.