First Shoe Drop Experience

As we loaded the vans for the first SA shoe distribution I was struck by the stark reality of SA's poverty as I saw the shacks and the dirty townships in fields. Gordon, Food 4 Africa founder, our driver, our leader, our historian, tells us that AIDS is at epidemic levels in SA. Children losing their mothers, their fathers, their brothers and sisters to the deadly disease. Brothers and sisters raising the younger ones as mothers die to the raging disease. The country's belly is swollen by AIDS and AIDS takes no prisoners. AIDS kills all in its path. As the van drives down the red clay rut ridden road children run alongside the van, others wave and in the distance ahead I could see hundreds and hundreds of children waiting, dreaming of a NEW pair of shoes. Bending down on the red clay road, I slipped off a little girl's shoe. She watched and eyed the bright pink pair of TOMS I had in my hand. Her little black foot was sweaty from wearing an old holey pair of shoes, too small for her feet. I slipped the shoe on her foot, but it was tight. I could see she was surprised when I told her, I was going to get a pair that fit her. I reached in my bag and pulled out the next size up which I slipped on her feet. They fit and a big smile appeared on her beautiful face. I stood up handed her the old shoes and gave her a big hug. I held her and thought: This gift of TOMS to this child is an even greater gift to me......