You could say the students of Tobique Valley Middle High School have been saving soles. They collected 411 pairs of brightly-coloured rubber shoes so that children that usually go barefoot in Africa won’t be plagued by worms, sand fleas and other parasites that enter through their feet.
The “Crocs for Tots” campaign was held in support of PROLASA, a non-profit organization that provides homes, medical care and education for orphaned children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. Dr.
Barry Wecker of Plaster Rock heads PROLASA Canada and has seen first-hand the damage that is caused by foot-seeking parasites. It was his photographs of affected feet posted on the blog of his eldest daughter Sarah who is a physiotherapist that got the campaign rolling.
“It got so much attention that she had to set up a separate blog just for it,” Dr. Wecker explained. “She sent me 10 pairs (of Crocs) and then it just mushroomed from there.”
Dr. Wecker and Daniel Hanscom as well as other PROLASA representatives make yearly visits to the orphanages their organization operates in Goma and the island of Idjwi. Many of the children there lost their families to civil war, poverty or disease and have survived with meager possessions. Those children were delighted to receive that first delivery of shoes in 2007.
On Dr. Wecker and Hanscom’s next visit early this year, their baggage went missing but 134 pairs or rubber shoes collected from enthusiastic supporters were delivered to the children at a later date. Now, Dr. Wecker and a team of four are looking forward to being able to take up to 1,000 pairs with them on their next trip later this year.
“And these 400-500 pairs from Plaster Rock will be with us,” Daniel Hanscom said, addressing the student body of Tobique Valley Middle High School. “Thank you from all the kids in Congo for taking an interest and for realizing that you can make a difference even half way around the world.”
Dr. Wecker noted they plan to be in Congo for New Year’s celebrations.
That’s when parties are held and gifts exchanged and he said all the orphaned children will receive a pair of the durable, rubber shoes.
“In fact, we will be able to extend the project beyond the orphans on the campus to some of the poorest schools in the area,” he said.
To help the high school students understand how little the children in Congo have, he noted they cherish even a gift of a soft drink.
“They only get one or two soft drinks a year and sometimes they just want to hold onto the bottle and don’t want to drink it,” he said. “You see how these kids that have absolutely nothing are so appreciative.”
Dr. Wecker noted that’s why receiving a pair of shoes is an exciting event in the life of these youngsters.
Croc-type footwear is ideal there, he noted, because they are light, durable and can be washed off easily. Wearing them prevents everything from hookworm to whipworm to the cavernous holes left by a sand flea called tunga penetrans, also known as jiggers, when it burrows into the skin of the feet.
Teacher Tara Lagace noted she got involved with Crocs for Tots after listening to Dr. Wecker talk about the campaign and seeing the images of affected feet on the Crocs for Orphaned Tots website. She decided to bring it to staff and students at the school and was thrilled by the reaction.
“The enthusiasm spread like wildfire,” Lagace commented. “In just 30 days, we collected 411 pairs!” Lagace said when the campaign at the school started one student didn’t believe they could change the lives of children on the other side of the planet.
“Well you haven’t changed the life of just one child but you’ve changed the life of 411!” the teacher exclaimed.
In a time of economic depression in the community, Lagace said she is overwhelmed by how people have come together with camaraderie and compassion to give what they can to less fortunate children.
Dr. Wecker came to the school several weeks ago and talked to middle school students and a Grade 12 sociology class about PROLASA’s work in Africa. Lagace said other classes may not have had that in-depth look at the project but that didn’t stop them from being supportive of Crocs for Tots.
“The staff and the students were really enthusiastic,” the teacher said.
In addition to presenting Dr. Wecker, his daughter Melissa and Daniel Hanscom with the shoes, Lagace also gave them a cash donation of .
In addition to shoes from students, 45 pairs were collected from Norris MacMillan at the Plaster Rock Pharmasave, some came from Donald Fraser Memorial School as well as local individuals who spread the Crocs for Tots message.
Dr. Wecker noted they have also received 200 pairs from the company that makes Crocs and there are at least another 100 pairs at his office that have been collected by caring individuals in the community.
All of the shoes will have a big impact on the lives of the orphaned children, he said, noting there is one little boy in Congo who is so fond of the shoes he received, they are never far away.
“If they aren’t on his feet, they’re on the feet of his stuffed animal!” Dr. Wecker smiled. |
BETA