The final week of the 2024 Soles for Little Souls School Sandals Distribution Project took place from Monday, 14th October to Friday, 18th October 2024, marking the conclusion of another impactful edition. This initiative aims to provide free sandals to pupils who attend school with worn-out footwear, inappropriate shoes, or none at all—especially those whose families cannot afford replacements.
Our Goal and Impact
With a target of distributing 3,200 pairs of sandals by the end of this year’s edition, we are thrilled to report that 2,852 pairs were successfully distributed to learners across 44 government primary schools in Sagamu.
The beneficiary schools for the fourth and final week included:
- Local Government School, Kanuyi – 22
- Atoyo Community Primary School, Atoyo – 42
- Local Government School, Irasusi –
- St. Paul Primary School, Simawa – 172
- Ansar-ur-Deen School, Ode-Lemo –
- Local Government School, Ewu-Osi –
- A.C. Primary School, Ewu-Oloja – 163
- St. John’s Anglican School, Ode-Lemo – 40
- St. Paul Primary School, Ayetoro –
- Wesley Primary School, Soyindo – 66
Distribution Process and Challenges
Each day brought excitement but also some challenges, as the team visited every school to personally ensure that each learner received a sandal of the correct size. The process was labor-intensive, requiring us to try on the sandals for each child to guarantee a proper fit. Despite the demands, the joy on the faces of the pupils made every moment worthwhile.
Royal Support
A highlight of the final week was the presence of our esteemed royal father, Alayeluwa Oba Musiliu Oriyomi Soile Osiderumu I, Radanuwa of Idado. He joined us on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, at Wesley Primary School, Soyindo, where he actively participated by fitting sandals on the children himself. His involvement brought an added sense of joy and encouragement to the learners and the team.
More Than Just Sandals
As we distributed these sandals, we encountered several children wearing severely worn-out footwear and some arriving at school in slippers—casual shoes not suitable for the classroom. This underscored the importance of the project, which not only provides footwear but also restores dignity, love, and hope to the children.
The excitement and gratitude from the pupils were heartwarming. For many, receiving a new pair of sandals was more than just getting footwear—it was a gesture of care, a source of confidence, and a reason to smile.
