Newcastle College lead on new Bambisanani shoe initiative changing lives in South Africa
It’s difficult to imagine life without a pair of shoes – sadly, that is the harsh reality for many children in remote, rural South Africa despite having to walk considerable distances to and from school each day.
Brogan O’Connor, Bambisanani Partnership coordinator at Newcastle College and trustee of the charity found that most of the children at Ngqamzana Primary School in KwaZulu Natal either did not have any shoes or had shoes that didn’t fit them properly. Discussions with the local community and Bambisanani supporters led to Brogan being introduced to the MyWalk charity in South Africa. MyWalk is an amazing South African organisation that turns single-use PVC drip bags, oxygen masks and associated tubing into brand new shoes. Remarkably the shoes are produced at the cost of £1.53 (R35) a pair. The school and local community identified a need for 716 pairs of school shoes and Brogan, together with great team support from Newcastle College raised the necessary funds to get all the children at the school a pair of shoes. There was great excitement at the school this week when the shoes arrived!
Mr Elijah Mhlanga, Chief Director of National and Provincial Communication in the Department of Basic Education in South Africa recently highlighted the importance of this issue:
“School shoes are a basic necessity, and if learners do not have adequate footwear, this can introduce ongoing obstacles to their education including bullying and harassment at school. Having school shoes can enhance the schooling experience for learners. Many learners unfortunately still walk long distances to and from school without shoes, facing a daily threat of sustaining cuts and infections.”
Mr L.F Msimango, Principal of Ngqamzana Primary School said, “I speak on behalf of the learners, educators, parents and community members and wish to thank Miss Brogan, Mr Barry and all the team from Newcastle College and the Bambisanani Partnership for the shoes that have arrived at my school. Your visits and programmes connect us with the wider world. We are proud to be members of the partnership. The shoes are so vital and we appreciate your humanity. I can assure you that the shoes will be very looked after. We are looking forward already to your next visit and interacting with your students.”
The Bambisanani Partnership Shoe initiative in partnership with MyWalk is not a ‘one off’ or isolated event for the charity at Ngqamzana Primary School. It forms part of much bigger holistic picture of the school being part of the partnership in ongoing programmes that promote education, sport, health, global citizenship and leadership. A special relationship has developed between the school and Newcastle College that is committed to working together and learning together.
Brogan O’Connor, added, “Having ‘worked hand in hand’ with Ngqamzana Primary School staff and learners for two years, it was clear to see how desperate it was that these learners received shoes to enable them to walk to school safely and comfortably to receive their education. Many learners had no school shoes at all and many were in Ill-fitting or unsuitable shoes. We are so thankful to have been introduced to the amazing team at MyWalk and to see all 716 pairs of shoes arrive safely at Ngqamzana Primary School. It’s hard to put into words what a significant impact this will have on the learners, staff and wider community. This partnership wouldn’t have been possible without our friends and partners in South Africa as well as the strength of the Newcastle College team who competed the gruelling UK 3 Peaks Challenge to raise the necessary funding for this project. I’m looking forward to returning to Ngqamzana in May to expand our programme there and of course to seeing the school shoes in action.”
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership said: “Newcastle College is a key and dynamic member of the partnership, their pioneering work in very challenging circumstances is having a real and positive impact on the young people that it brings together from South Africa and Newcastle. Brogan’s leadership is exceptional and her students are also developing as outstanding young leaders themselves who want to continue to make a difference in the world, The Shoe initiative has brought us together with new friends from the MyWalk charity. Our work is very much about creating mutually beneficial partnerships and this one is really special; there is considerable synergy. Our focus on the UN Global Sustainably Goals is greatly reinforced and enhanced by working with them. The MyWalk partnership is sensitive and sympathetic to the environment by contributing to reducing healthcare waste to landfill and associated greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful to the environment. They are a fantastic example of embracing a circular economy and making it a reality. They show how a green solution can fulfil a material need for business while simultaneously benefiting society – in this case by supporting education, job creation and enterprise development. We look forward to ongoing collaborations with them and others in order to make the world a kinder, more equitable and sustainable place. It is our experience that collaborative international encounters significantly amplify this motivation and promote genuine global citizenship.”
Also see related articles:
Bambisanani Partnership recognised for contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals (20/11/2024)
Newcastle College students are outstanding members of the Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa (21/06/2024)
Newcastle College Team Triumphs in UK 3 Peaks Challenge, Raising £2,845 for The Bambisanani Partnership (21/05/2024)
