People urged to walk on barefoot for a good cause
The Put Foot Foundation announced that Tuesday 18 June will mark the first official National Barefoot Day. During this time, all South Africans are asked to walk barefoot to highlight the plight of underprivileged children in South Africa and to commemorate Youth Month. Put Foot Foundation Chairman Daryn Hillhouse says that the embarrassment of not …

The Put Foot Foundation announced that Tuesday 18 June will mark the first official National Barefoot Day.
During this time, all South Africans are asked to walk barefoot to highlight the plight of underprivileged children in South Africa and to commemorate Youth Month.
Put Foot Foundation Chairman Daryn Hillhouse says that the embarrassment of not having shoes overshadows the necessity to learn and walking to school on barefoot in winter is traumatic.
“The Put Foot Foundation has become synonymous with giving children hope, pride and dignity through the gift of a brand new pair of school shoes.
“Through this simple act, children in need are able to play, learn and have fun,” says Hillhouse.
National Barefoot Day will be celebrated in June each year and will be acknowledged on the first working day following Youth Day which is 16 June.
According to Hillhouse, the organisation challenges all South African’s to go barefoot on this day for an hour or a few minutes to experience what millions of young children in our country have to deal with everyday.
This is also to fully understand the extent of the problem and to show their support for South Africa’s children.
“We want to create a movement and more importantly we want to help put brand new pairs of 100% leather locally produced school shoes on the feet of every needy child in South Africa,” says Hillhouse
Hillhouse adds that the Put Foot Foundation is a registered Non Government Organisation (NGO) and has raised more than R1.5 million since its inception in June 2012.
“We have helped over 5000 children and touched the lives of hundreds of teachers, parents and ordinary South Africans.
“National Barefoot Day is the next chapter in the Foundation’s success, and we need all South Africans to get involved, including corporate business people and individuals.
“Through such efforts, I believe that we can all make a difference,” says Hillhouse.
Supporters of National Barefoot Day who have registered on the official website can donate to the Put Foot Foundation or volunteer their time for one of the national shoe drops taking place at schools across South Africa.
On the day, supporters can also TwitPic or Instagram their favourite images along with messages of solidarity with the hashtags #BarefootSA or #ShoesOnFeet.