Changing the present, one pair of shoes at a time

[shoesense]

Recently, one of our readers contacted us with details about her efforts to raise money for shoes for impoverished African girls. I know I jab my mouth (fingers?) every day here about shoes for (mostly) purely aesthetic reasons, but not for a moment do I forget the cultural and social significance of footwear. Katelyn Clapham reminds us:

A girls education is identified as the most powerful weapon against poverty and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Benefits include a decline in infant mortality rates, malnutrition, and an increase in educational enrollment for the next generation. But in rural Africa, millions of girls cant attend school because they dont have shoes. For $14, each of us can provide a pair. Image how many more girls can go to school if we spread this!

I have expressed this at times, but it bears repeating: shoes are just one of those often ignored but important paraphernalia that help build a civil, educated, enlightened world, whether their function borders more on the utilitarian or more on the aesthetic. If you think so too, consider donating for a good cause here. Never mind that Katelyn will thank you--that Shoeblog will thank you--but hopefully, a girl in Africa will be properly clad because of you--for the cost of two days worth of soy lattes.