Iperu-Remo –  An NGO, Encouragement Initiative (EI) in Iperu-Remo, Ogun on Friday distributed free school sandals to 149 barefooted pupils in the town.

The three public primary schools visited for the distribution are Wesley Primary School, Salvation Army Primary School and AUD Primary School, all in Iperu-Remo.

Speaking at the event, Mr Rotimi Akinlesi, the Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, said no fewer than 496  barefooted pupils benefitted from the programme since the beginning of the year.

Akinlesi explained that apart from the free distribution of sandals, the NGO had also provided school uniforms for children, whose parents could not afford one, as well as provided drugs for sickle cell patients.

He explained that the free sandal programme of the NGO was borne out of concern for hundreds of kids in public primary schools who went to schools barefooted, because their parents could not afford sandles.

Akinlesi said, “When we started this free sandal programme last year, we never knew that the task was enormous and great.

“We never knew that we had so many of our kids going to school barefooted or in bathroom slippers.

“It is amazing that many of these kids had never for once worn a pair of sandal in their lives until we gave them one.

“The level of poverty around is high, but we are glad that we are touching the lives of these kids.

“The EI free sandals distribution programme is a divine vision and a humanitarian aid organization that seeks to make life better for everyone irrespective of colours, race, gender and religious affiliation.

“ It is a nonprofit and non political organization that is involved in demonstrating true love by supporting poor and at-risk children and families.

“Our agenda is to bring love, dignity and respect to African children by putting sandals on the feet of pupils who go to school barefooted or in bathroom slippers.

“We are helping to remove the inferiority complex that sets into the lives of kids at this tender stage of their lives and also save them from getting hurt by sharp and dangerous objects.

“The gift of sandals means little or nothing to many people but to young kids it is a life changing expression of love.

“It is hard for most of us to imagine how a pair of shoes can make such impact, but for these kids it is usually an experience never to be forgotten.”  (NAN)