Every year around the start of autumn, new shoes are a common purchase for many families. There’s something special about beginning a new school year wearing a brand new pair of shoes. Whether it’s a shiny white pair of sneakers or the season’s latest sandal, a pair of shoes can give a kid confidence walking into another school year.
The same is true for kids all over the world — even if their school schedules look different. But when disaster strikes, families can lose everything. With the need for food and water, the last thing on a lot of families’ minds is new shoes.
After a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck western Japan on New Year’s Day, tens of thousands of people were left devastated. Convoy of Hope immediately responded with food, water, and hygiene supplies to bring relief to struggling families. And in the months that followed, we continued distributions to meet the ongoing needs of survivors.
A big part of those distributions was shoes. Earlier this year, Soles4Souls donated more than 16,000 pairs of Teva sandals to distribute to survivors in western Japan and to partners all over Japan. In Japanese culture, there is an expectation of giving something in return when you receive a gift. People were amazed that Convoy didn’t expect anything in return for the shoes. Through Soles4Souls’ generous donation, Convoy was able to show devastated people radical compassion.
The earthquake in Japan wasn’t the first earthquake Soles4Souls helped Convoy respond to. In February of 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria. More than 55,000 people lost their lives, and millions of people lost their homes and possessions.
Soles4Souls donated more than 126,000 pairs of Crocs to Convoy of Hope for survivors.
Something special about the organization is the variety of styles and sizes they send.
One man in Turkey came to the distribution despite thinking it would be pointless trying to find a pair of shoes that fit his large feet. In the earthquake, he lost his home and all his belongings, and he had an incredibly hard time finding shoes that would fit. When he arrived and Convoy gave him a brand new pair of Crocs in his size, his eyes filled with tears.
This man had been living with one pair of worn sandals for a year. Receiving a pair of sturdy shoes gave hope to a man who had forgotten what hope felt like.
A new pair of shoes can mean the world to someone who has lost everything. And shoes are more than just protection for their feet. To a disaster survivor, a new pair of shoes is a reminder that someone cares, that there is hope, and that they are not alone.
Thank you, Soles4Souls, for helping Convoy of Hope provide that assurance to people all over the world.
