International Nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet Distributes Its 10 Millionth Pair of Shoes
Humanitarian aid organization, Samaritan’s Feet, distributed its 10 millionth pair of shoes in Mitchells Plain, South Africa, the same site where it did its first shoe distribution. This historic milestone was met as Samaritan's Feet also celebrates its 20th year as an organization.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., November 1, 2023 (Newswire.com) - On October 20, Samaritan’s Feet International, a global nonprofit with worldwide headquarters in Charlotte, NC, distributed its 10 millionth pair of shoes. The special event took place at Woodville Primary School in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa. Mitchells Plain is the site of the very first shoe distribution where Samaritan’s Feet gave away free new shoes.
The 10 millionth recipient was a 10-year-old boy named Zaiden. He excels in school, enjoys playing soccer, helps other schoolchildren with their math homework, and dreams of being a successful businessman. His grandmother primarily takes care of him and he enjoys spending time with his younger sister, Abigail. Zaiden was selected by a local pastor to be the 10 millionth recipient and in addition to receiving new athletic shoes, he will also get his school fees paid, school supplies, a mentorship, and other household and personal items to help him throughout his life.
In addition to serving Zaiden, approximately 1,000 students were served that day by having their feet washed and receiving a new pair of athletic shoes from Samaritan’s Feet co-founders, Manny and Tracie Ohonme, a team from the United States, and local volunteers. With Samaritan’s Feet South Africa (SFSA), an affiliate office of Samaritan’s Feet, the team served a total of 2,000 people throughout the Western Cape that week.
Samaritan’s Feet has a long history and connection to Africa. Over 40 years ago in Lagos, Nigeria, Manny received his first pair of shoes at the age of nine after winning a basketball competition in his neighborhood park. After hosting that first shoe distribution in South Africa, Samaritan’s Feet has sent dozens of teams with tens of thousands of pairs of shoes throughout the continent of Africa. On October 10, World Shoe, of which Manny serves as the President, announced the opening of its inaugural factory in Ghana to produce the first antimicrobial, eco-friendly footwear brand manufactured in Africa. Samaritan's Feet also serves across the United States, and, one day prior to the special 10 millionth distribution in South Africa, a shipment of around 500 pairs of shoes was sent to a Charlotte-area-based Salvation Army partner to help reach this historic milestone and to serve individuals in the organization’s hometown.
Samaritan’s Feet co-founders are available for interviews. A media package with b-roll and photographs from the 10 millionth distribution and Zaiden can be downloaded at SamaritansFeet.org/10millionPR.
Source: Samaritan's Feet International
