School shoes campaign gives hope to vulnerable Devon children
Torn shoes, blistered feet and long walks to school are now a thing of the past for many Devon learners, thanks to a Women’s Day donation.
The Greater Devon United Peoples Projects (GDUPP, an NPO), brought smiles and relief to hundreds of families this Women’s Day when it handed over more than 400 pairs of school shoes to disadvantaged youths in Impumelelo, Devon.
“Through the school shoes campaign, we hope to ensure that learners at all schools look the same. We want all learners to feel at ease, regardless of their home circumstances. Seeing the smiles and feeling the appreciation from the children for something as small as a pair of school shoes is the biggest reward that makes the effort invested worthwhile.
“Through our research, we found that many learners do not have school shoes or wear torn shoes that are too tight or too small. So, we felt compelled to step in and make a difference in their lives. Any shortage they face should not prevent them from attending school and learning, as their education can be the key to changing their situations at home. Most of our learners are vulnerable, orphans or disadvantaged children, depending on their guardians and grandparents. These children endure long walks in shoes that either have holes in them, worn-out soles, or are just too tight.
“Our disadvantaged children were overwhelmed when they received their shoes. They will no longer wear torn shoes or develop blisters on their feet,” said Liesl Rittles, the GDUPP chairperson.
Apart from donating the shoes, the GDUPP offers daily school mentoring and literacy classes. They also run sculpting workshops for the Devon community. Their first sculpture workshop, on November 15, 2024, was a success.
“Since then, everything has gained traction, and we are dedicated to helping the school children where we can,” mentioned Rittles.
In closing, Rittles and the GDUPP management thanked the field consultants for doing outstanding work under difficult circumstances.
“It would have been impossible for the directors of Greater Devon United Peoples’ Projects to achieve this feat without our field consultants.”
Any donations of sculpture equipment and material, school shoes, stationery, mobile structures and solar systems are welcome. There is also a need for flour and maize meal.
Contact Rittles on 083 312 2833 or gredupp@gmail.com
