Hmm – what shoes should I pack to live in Uganda? This was one of a huge list of decisions to make when planning what I could cram into 2 suitcases and a carry-on bag. Would I need running shoes? What if I went jogging or joined a gym or played tennis in my spare time? Well, I brought running shoes, called trainers here, and they sit nicely in the closet waiting for the day that I might have time to put them on and train. HA! Old Navy had their cute coloured flip-flops on sale, 2 for $8 before we left Canada so of course Emily and I share 4 or 5 pairs between us. Turns out, a little arch support would have been nice walking on the hard, hilly, cratered, rocky mud here. By the way, in the city of Kampala, flip-flops are called slippers and are only worn indoors. I also brought one pair of nicer black sandals (nice as in Payless nice), still flip-floppish in style but they will work well if we ever have to go somewhere nice.

 

In hindsight, some rubber boots for all of the rainy muck and some comfortable hiking type of sandals would have been good to bring, although that type of sandal with a skirt reminds me of the missionaries that used to visit my church when I was little and I don’t think I can bring myself to do that. Em is sharing most of my shoes, with a few of her own and of course Oli has a nice collection. After all, shoes for 7 year old girls are small, cute, and fun to buy! 

 

In Canada we think of shoes in terms of outfits or seasons or activities or occasions. In Uganda shoes are anything that prevents you from cutting your feet on barbed wire (it’s everywhere), rocks, glass, and sticks. They keep you from stepping directly in food scraps, urine, poop, garbage, sewage water and mucky dirt full of bugs and parasites. Whenever we come home from driving in the slum areas, our dogs head over to the tires to check out, and eat, whatever garbage treats are left on them.

 

A few people have asked whether the Africans should just continue using bare feet because they are used to it and their feet are tough. We have seen enough feet sliced open, and enough infections to confirm that they need shoes just like the rest of the world.

 

Esther, the social worker at the school in Banda, identified 54 children who either did not have any shoes at all or who had shoes that were falling apart.  Some had totally inappropriate shoes, like an old pair of men’s dress shoes for an 8 year old or the fluff-lined suede winter boots that one of the boys was wearing on the zoo trip in August. Thanks to a really cool Canadian family who totally “gets it”, these kids all received really good quality used running shoes and are happily playing soccer and tag and are walking from a far distance to the school over rocks and glass and garbage. 

 

There is a huge used shoe market nearby where we made a “bulk” deal for $6 a pair. It is quite an experience!  Em got her soccer cleats there and for anyone who knows cleats they are Total 90 3s for $19 (closing in on $200 new in Canada) and are in almost perfect condition! The kids at the school tried the shoes on in groups over a few days until everyone had some. A few got the kind with the soles that light up when you walk, so that caused some excitement.   It was an emotional and happy experience to help the children put on their new shoes and give some bow-tying lessons. For now, we can cross shoes off our list as we continue to do what we can to bring hope and joy into their lives.