THESE SHOES ARE MADE FOR WALKING, EMS FOUNDATION AND SHAMBALA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE INITIATIVE

Most humans are spoilt for choice when they walk into stores and take their pick, often without hesitation, from a selection of hundreds of different styles, colours and brands of shoes. However, this privilege that is so often taken for granted is not available to everyone. Millions of people do not own a single pair of shoes.

The importance of shoes should not be overlooked. Shoes provide vital protection and comfort. Many children in rural Southern Africa do not have shoes, it is difficult and dangerous for them to walk to school through rough terrain especially in the cold winter months.

Whilst no child chooses to be born into poverty, the high rate of unemployment which has been exacerbated by the COVID_19 global pandemic has led to increased poverty in many parts of South Africa.

Footwear improves the quality of life, provides protection, prevents injury and disease. Not all feet are perfect, so properly fitting shoes can help align feet, ankles, knees, hips and back to correct and improve posture.

In most cultures shoes are representative of social status or an extension of one’s self, shoes can effect perception of others as well as ourselves.

In September 2021, the EMS Foundation and the Shambala Private Reserve donated 600 pairs of shoes to children in the Vaalwater district of Limpopo. Through our partnership we are committed to an on-going support of the children in that area.

The Mayor and the Limpopo Department of Education identified the children in most need of a pair of shoes, and together with management of Shambala Private Game Reserve were on hand to assist with the delivery of the shoes.