Providing Shoes and Jobs for Those in Impoverished Africa
Sole Hope in Asheville, NC by Dru Collie
Millions of rural children are living with jiggers in their bodies. They are unable to walk or even work and this results in trauma, isolation which leads to low self-esteem. This is a problem that has been overshadowed by other plights, but can not be ignored. Sole Hope provides a tangible way to prevent this parasite while paying the workers a fair wage to complete the closed toe shoes that will be given to children where it is rare for them to own a pair.
We serve widows & others in Africa by providing a fair wage to sew shoes and learn the trade. We then give these shoes to children to prevent desease.
Sole Hope has started 2 programs in Zambia & Uganda providing income to those who could not be gainfully employed. Paying the workers & opening bank accounts. In 2011 Sole Hope did it's first major shoe drop in the villages. Not only giving shoes to the children, but educating about the importance of wearing shoes and keeping their feet healthy.
We teach impoverished and unemployed communities the skills in basic shoe making that provides them with a reliable source of income & places these shoes on children.
We are in the process of planning a Sole Hope building in Ndola, Zambia to serve the community there. This building would store sewing machines, materials, and finished shoes as well as provide the space needed to teach shoemaking and sanitation classes.