Join the Movement: Help Underprivileged School Kids Walk with Dignity

Many children in India walk miles barefoot just to reach school. You can make a difference by donating your gently used shoes and ensuring they have a safer, more comfortable journey to education.

In India, many children attending government schools come from families so financially strained that they cannot afford a simple pair of school shoes. It’s heartbreaking to witness this reality, especially when you stand in front of any government school. You’ll often see students walking barefoot, without shoes or slippers, to get to school. It’s a painful sight that reflects the immense struggles these children face. Walking barefoot, they risk serious injuries like stepping on nails, glass shards, or any sharp objects that can cause deep cuts and infections.

According to a recent survey, 60% of students in India walk to school. This percentage is even higher in rural areas, with 62% of girls and 57.9% of boys walking to school. In rural areas, 61.4% of boys and 66.5% of girls walk to school, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Nanhee Khawish Foundation

This issue is even more pronounced in rural areas, where children may have to walk miles to reach their schools. These kids—who represent the future of our country—deserve better, but their families simply cannot afford to provide them with something as basic as shoes.

• Walking barefoot can lead to a host of health problems, including worm infestations, infections from thorns or sharp objects, and long-term foot injuries. The situation becomes even more dangerous during the hot summer months when temperatures can soar to 42°C, making the ground unbearably hot. In the rainy season, wet and slippery conditions can lead to falls, skin irritations, and the spread of infections like athlete’s foot.

The Challenge
Walk a Child to School, Donate Shoes

The need for shoes is critical, especially in rural areas where children have to walk long distances to reach school. Walking barefoot on harsh roads, under the scorching sun, or in the pouring rain, is not just difficult—it’s unsafe and unhealthy.

• Distance: In rural areas, schools are often miles away from students’ homes, making it extremely challenging for them to walk barefoot every day.
• Temperature: Imagine walking barefoot on roads that can reach up to 42°C in summer. Burns from hot pavements can become infected and are very difficult to heal.
• Rain: Walking barefoot in the rain increases the risk of slipping, falling, and sustaining injuries. It can also lead to infections like athlete’s foot or skin irritation, while increasing exposure to dangerous sharp objects.

Philosophical Backbone
Footwear For Re-Wear

The primary objective of the Nanhee Khawish Foundation is to provide shoes to underprivileged children who walk miles barefoot every day to reach school. These children endure immense pain and suffering, and we believe that something as simple as a pair of shoes can significantly improve their lives.

We encourage families to donate their unused shoes—whether it’s outgrown school shoes or gently used footwear lying around unused at home. We believe there is at least one pair of unused school shoes in every family with children in school, especially in middle-class and higher-income households. Our aim is to collect these shoes and distribute them to the children who desperately need them, enabling them to walk to school with comfort and dignity.

By providing a pair of shoes, we aim to ease their suffering and remove one of the barriers that prevent these children from accessing education. Our hope is to bring about a transformation in the lives of these children—improving their health, safety, and overall school attendance.

Why Is It Important to Wear Good Walking Shoes?

• Proper Walking Technique: Wearing the right shoes helps children maintain proper walking posture, preventing injuries and discomfort.
• Comfort & Protection: Shoes protect the feet from long-term damage and everyday hazards, allowing children to walk comfortably and safely to school.
• Increased Confidence & School Attendance: With the right footwear, children gain confidence, feel better about themselves, and are more likely to attend school regularly.