Put Foot Rally 2013: Shoe Drop in Livingstone

Livingstone, Zambia, is inspiring. As a tourist destination, it’s got almost everything. From the thundering Victoria Falls National Park to the Vic Falls Bridge bungee, white water rafting on the Zambezi and even crocodile cage diving for the adrenaline fiends, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another African destination that offers such a range of things to do. But, like most African countries, there’s an undercurrent of poverty that’s hard to miss. In fact, it’s hardly an undercurrent. It’s pervasive, and unless you’re driving around with your blinkers on (not advisable) it’s impossible not to take notice.

On day eight of the rally, crews on the Put Foot Rally got together and travelled in convoy to Sawmill Community School with a simple goal: to change at least a handful (400, in fact) of young Zambian lives with a single pair of brand new school shoes. While the Put Foot Rally is primarily a social adventure in Africa, for everyone that takes part this is what it’s all about: making a difference, in whatever way possible. This year that difference was made at the Shoe Drop at the Sawmill Community School with the Put Foot Foundation.

After a few formalities, a rather epic bout of poetry and a heartwarming welcome anthem from some of the learners, the crews split into groups. Some sized up feet while others fitted shoes to learners who hadn’t seen a new pair of shoes, let alone school shoes, in their lives. I hate to invoke a cliche, but it really is a humbling experience to be part of a group of people who want to give back to Africa either through direct, hands-on charity work.

The Put Foot Rally also shows that charity work doesn’t have to be arduous, or boring. The shoe drop was so much more than just about school shoes. I mean, who ever said you can’t have great time and do something good at the same time? On the day one of the crew members from Team Dtours ushered everyone in with a bag pipe solo and after the shoes were all fitted the learners, crews joined the school kids in a games of football (both American and the usual, more sensical, version). It was loads of fun, so much so that many crews only left the school hours after the shoe drop itself.

As I mentioned last year, the vision – to put shoes on millions of children in Southern Africa that do not have them – seems as simple and fitting as it is gratifying and, well, always a privilege to be part of. A huge thanks to the Put Foot Foundation, crews, and the Put Foot Rally for bringing me on board, once again, to be part of it.