New shoes!

School starts this week. And for the poorest families that means expense they simply cannot afford. A new term means they must pay not only school fees but also, uniforms, notebooks, text books, satchels, pencils and of course, new school shoes. In Kalubian we were aware that several families were going into debt trying to buy the provisions their children needed. And so we came up with a modest sponsorship scheme. For 20 children we would buy the provisions needed for school if the parents would meet the costs of the school fees. This would mean the families would not be faced with the choice of going into debt or not sending their children to school.

It was a great success. For just £50 (GBP) we were able to kit out 20 children for school. They were delighted, never have I seen such excitement over a new pair of shoes. As a thankyou the children and parents arranged a surprise performance for me before our Sunday communion service. I was treated to a dance and a poem, and of course the new shoes, were proudly on display.