WHEN she is not out advocating for South Africa’s wildlife, local resident, Carla Geyser is aspiring to assist the scholars in need.
In 2016 Geyser and a group of intrepid female explores embarked on a 16 000 kilometre journey across 10 African countries in aid of endangered elephants.
This year, so far, through her non-profit organisation, Blue Society Trust’s Soul 2 Sole project 1 000 brand new and 1 600 ‘pre-loved’ school shoes have been donated.
This was made possible, she said though partnership with Lion Match Group, Armax and eleven schools, which collected the ‘pre-loved’ shoes on breakup day last year.
Each child also received a shoe polish, to care for their school shoes, and a pair of comfy socks.
“It truly astounds me that in 2018 there are some seven million children in Africa who have never owned a pair of new or second hand shoes,” said Geyser.
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However, she said the project, which has been running since 2016 has grown from strength to strength.
“During our first year we handed out 290 new shoes, so it literally has tripled in size,” she said.
The most recent shoe drop was completed with the assistance of the learners at Michaelhouse, and the thrilled recipeints included the learners at the Dargyle Primary School and the Jabula Combined School.
A total of 210 shoes were donated.
“The look in a child’s eyes, the smile on their face when they receive their first pair of school shoes is something hard to explain. We have a phenomenal group of people involved in this impactful project, to whom I am truly grateful!”
