Sole Hope – An Invitation

At Allume, the hallways were lined with non-profits—so many that are already close to my heart—Samaritan’s Purse, Mercy House Kenya, Compassion—but it seems this year the Lord had one in particular he wanted to stick with me. Sole Hope has not left my mind since Allume.

 

Sole Hope’s goal is to make shoes for children in Uganda who are affected by soil borne conditions like jiggers.  They reuse jean material and tires and use locally trained shoemakers to make shoes for children to prevent diseases. They help clean the children’s feet at clinics and then give them a pair of shoes.

I had no idea this was even a THING until they showed this video at Allume (warning—graphic):

 

 

Did you watch?  Because that’ll make you want to DO SOMETHING.

And the really, really fun thing is we CAN do something super easy!  All it takes is a sharpie, a pair of scissors and some time to attend a SHOE CUTTING PARTY.

Through a shoe party, participants trace and then cut jeans based on templates that will then be used by the Ugandan shoemakers.  Not only are the children provided with shoes, but local women are provided with a job.

Some of my too-small jeans I took to Allume to donate are now on their way to Uganda to cover some little feet!  It’s like the BEST THING EVER!!

And guess what??

I’m hosting a local shoe cutting party and you’re invited!!

 

 

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!  I don’t care how far away you are, whether we know each other and don’t talk much, or we’re BFFs in real life, I’d love to have you here!  Bring as many jeans as you want, a pair of your favorite fabric scissors and $10 donation if you can swing it  (not required—it’s used to pay the shoemakers).

I’m giving you plenty of notice–it will be at my house on Friday, December 6, 6:30-8:30.  I’ll have coffee and snacks and have everything organized so we can make the most of our time.  I’m planning to have my kids there and if you have older kids that can cut, BRING THEM too (or not, if you want a kid-free evening).  

Consider this your official invitation—just let me know in the comments here or in email at amyjbennett AT gmail DOT com if you plan on attending. But, if you’re local and we’re friends on Facebook, you’ll be getting a Facebook event invitation there as well.

If you want to see some past shoe cutting parties in action, head right over here.

If you aren’t local to me or can’t get here that night, host your own shoe cutting party.  Just do it one night with your family or invite your small group or your best friends!  For just $15 you can order a 10 person kit that can be reused over and over.

 

Alume has given me permission to show photos from the cutting party that happened on Saturday at Allume.  For folks like me, knowing what you’re walking into really helps:

 

 

   

photos courtesy of Allume/Kim DeLoach Photography

As you can see, it really is as easy as tracing and cutting!  We can do hard things but we can also do super easy things like this!

 

Ah!!  I’m so excited! I really would like to make a big impact for Sole Hope to show them our support.  Make plans to come out!

Let me know—who’s interested in coming or hosting your own party??

 

 

*images courtesy of SoleHope.org