By Regina Agana Akanteba
Food, shelter, and clothing remain the basic needs of human survival. However, one other necessity that millions of people worldwide still struggle to have access to, is good footwear. Though there are top brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and Reebok, producing footwears across the globe, a great margin of people, mostly within the poverty bracket, do not have the privilege of wearing any, and walk barefooted on hard, warm, slippery and muddy grounds. It is in this light that the “World Shoe Day” was instituted by the World Humanitarian Foundation to encourage people who have to share with those who do not have any footwear. Regina Agana Akanteba finds out whether people are aware of the day and how they are observing it.
Did you know that nearly one billion people on Earth do not have shoes? Despite difficulties in terrain and climates these people walk barefooted or put on low-quality footwear. We might be blessed to have several pairs of shoes in our closets, but some people are lucky enough to have one pair of shoes, despite the fact that it may be oversized. Well, the good news is, something can be done about it by donating, sponsoring, or gifting shoes to those who don’t have or can’t afford them. World Shoe Day is celebrated every year on March 15. The day emphasizes the importance of footwear and the need for quality footwear for millions of people worldwide who cannot afford or do not have access to it. In Ghana, Humanitarian Foundations cater to the needs of the poor in society and basically offer assistance to help clothe, shelter and feed them. One of them is the Shepherd’s Word Foundation, headed by Rev. Francis Ntoba Abudu, who is also Head Pastor of the Shepherd’s Word Chapel. He says helping the less-privileged in whatever capacity one can afford is something that pleases God. He said assisting the less privileged brings inner peace and joy.
”When you are fulfilling a scriptural obligation and that pleases our maker.I urge everyone to always try to help the less-privileged in society. It is such a joy and excitement to the poor”.
According to Research, walking without protecting the feet can lead to lifetime problems, including pain, injury, cuts, sores, and infections. Apart from health issues, individuals could be banned from schools and other business places for not wearing footwear or not putting on proper ones and this issue is exactly what World Shoe Day seeks to address. Speaking to some Ghanaians about the day, they expressed shock at the existence of the day, though they help people occasionally.
”Is today World Shoe Day, I didn’t know I would have my best shoe today. There is something like that really. I don’t know but putting on nice shoes defines you as a gentleman”, are some views on the day.
Though it is common knowledge that education is key in the long-term poverty alleviation strategy, it equally feels better when you make a difference in the lives of people by providing particularly, food, clothes and shelter, and for the purpose of World Shoe Day, some good shoes to put a smile on the face of the underprivileged.