in retrospect...

It is already difficult to define the moment this project was born. It probably began when Virginia and I were discussing how 'disposable' society has become and how 'recyclable' so much of our disposable items really are - clothing and footwear we take so much for granted and discard when fashions shift are in fact luxuries many cannot afford or simply have no access to.

The issue of shoes, protective footwear and the high rate of HIV/AIDS infection as well as other complications of foot injuries for example pathogens causing ulcerations and infections which in isolated areas are difficult to treat, resulting in suffering and illness that is potentially preventable came up. I had seen photos of people from the village of Makuluni and observed that their feet were bare. I envisaged how we would manage on our property, labouring our land in bare foot while working on rocky earth with no protection from injury. Prickles, stones, snakes, blisters, spider bites, cuts and bruises as well as misery would all be part of that equation - but for some people, this is their daily way of life.

I remembered being called to see a neighbour whose son had acidentally discharged a gun in the house. The butt of the rifle had recoiled onto his foot, crushing his toe (thank goodness the bullet went directly into the ceiling!) - it was a mess. Now i wondered how people might be managing when hoes, rocks, sickles or shovels were causing similar injuries but there was no access to antibiotics, tetanus injections or even clean water to bathe the wound and no dressings to even protect the injury to allow it to begin to heal.

And then i rememberd at least 4 pairs of shoes sitting in our wardrobe that were never worn, a bit used and simply taking up space, collecting dust and-beginning to prick my conscience!