The Shoes

As part of my fundraiser I am writing each day about my trip to Ethiopia. The story below was a defining moment in my life. Changed me forever!

One day at FOVC I found the shoes pictured above laying on the ground. By the looks of them I suspected that the owner had outgrown them and had toes hanging out. I took the shoes to a staff member and he identified the child. It was a boy name Israel who was around 12 years old. I was right about the toes hanging out. I immediately talked with Lory, our team leader, and she said to go ahead and find a pair of shoes for Israel.

I found a pair of used ladies white tennis shoes and grabbed a new pair of socks. Israel grinned as I brought them over. He put on the socks and slipped on the shoes. I tied them for him and checked the position of the toes. They were a perfect fit. He continued to grin and headed back to join the rest of the children.

A few minutes later I went over to the children to take some more candid shots. I noticed Israel standing in the background crying and I thought he didn't like the shoes or that another child had been mean to him because he got shoes and they didn't. A staff member translated for Israel. He was happy. He had tears of joy!

This was the most moving moment of the entire trip for me. I held that little boy and we both cried. His were tears of joy and mine were tears of sadness and confusion. It is hard for an American to imagine a child crying over shoes. Not really cool shoes that they wanted for Christmas but a used pair of ladies tennis shoes that meant his toes didn't hang out anymore. A pair of shoes that would keep his feet healthy on the dirt road he walked everyday. It was a moment that I don't ever want to forget. It was a moment that changed my perspective and my life.