walking in their shoes

By Emmy Strijbis, from Netherlands

A whole bunch of children looked at me with curiosity, full of joy and disbelief. They seemed to ask, "Am I really supposed to try these shoes on and see if they fit me? Is it really true that if they fit, they're for me??"

While we were showing 30 kids newly purchased shoes, and while they were excitedly trying them on, my eyes wandered towards my own feet. And towards my own life... Have I ever been so happy to get new shoes? Why do these children's feet look as if they're many years older than mine? What paths have these feet traveled? What would my life be like in their shoes?          

It is heart-breaking to realize that these children's feet once ran and played somewhere safe. Just like mine... But that these feet have also walked many, many kilometres and are now far from their own home, culture and country. Not like mine at all...

I taught these refugee children the English class. I've had the privilege of walking alongside these children for a little while now but, this time,  we had something extra to share. Not only were there new things to learn, thanks to our donors and volunteers, there were new shoes to put on!

The children accepted their new pair of shoes with a mixture of surprise and joy. Eyes filled with happiness and amazement watched us leave the school this afternoon. It seemed as if the simple gift of a pair of new shoes had suddenly made the world a brighter place for these children.

I exited the building with mixed feelings. What paths will these children –and many other children- yet have to walk? I am thankful that our team had an opportunity to show these children love in action. 

We plan to shoe fifty more refugee children in the Nuba refugee community that we serve in. 

Will you walk alongside these children? Click the button below to make a difference in their lives!