While most ET Learns projects directly address education in Ethiopia, we love helping out – if the shoe fits, wear it.
This week current Miss Provo Kelsie Taylor spearheaded a project that collected over 2200 pounds of shoes for Africa. She and fifty other Miss Utah candidates partnered with nonprofit organization Power2Become (www.p2become.org) to donate over 51,000 pounds of shoes to Burkina Faso in West Africa. Burkina Faso is the third poorest country in the world, and over half of their population is under 18 years old.
The project spanned over a period of nine months, as Kelsie and her volunteers visited church groups, garage sales, and their own closets to gather the necessary shoes. Even shoes beyond repair can help; Power2Become helps the Africans recycle and sell the rubber to fund well construction in underdeveloped areas.
After the shoes were gathered, ET Learns stepped in to help transport the donation. Volunteers from ET Learns hefted the 2200 pounds worth of shoes and helped transport them to the airport. Volunteers pictured: (from left to right) Michael Doman, Juan Castaños, and Jeremiah Rundall.
Education is more than books and teachers; students need a lifestyle that enables and promotes success, including shoes to walk to school. We thanks to all those organizations whose vision is a better tomorrow for our youth. Together we can provide quality education for everyone, everywhere. Feel free to contact us at info@etlearns.org to suggest a project, get more information about volunteering, or even just to chat.