On the way to the future – October 2022-2023
Imagine, just for a second, how it would feel to be forced to walk on rocky and thorny paths with bare, frail feet. Every step is a pain, every day is a struggle.
The challenge: As we speak, in a world not so far from our own, childhood is overshadowed by a harsh and unseen reality. It is the story of children from underprivileged communities, where such a simple but vital thing – a pair of shoes – becomes a distant dream. Lack of footwear deprives children in vulnerable communities of their right to education, exploration and discovery, limiting their access to a normal life and the simple joys of childhood. Statistics reinforce these facts: A study conducted by UNICEF in Romania (2017) found that young people without shoes are more likely to drop out of school than children who have shoes. The study found that 60 percent of children without shoes dropped out of school, compared to only 30 percent of children who had shoes.
The solution: Through our project On the way to the future, held from October 2022 until October 2023, we undertook the mission of providing a pair of shoes to at least one child from a disadvantaged environment every day, during the project.
Partners: Decathlon Romania, Decathlon Pallady, Menatwork Solutions, BD Lemntech, Spa Shoes Bucharest, Squeeze It – Unitate Protejată, Tanna Atelier and Wave Studio resonated with this cause and dedicated important resources for this project to fulfill its objective.
What we did with the help of the partners, donors, and through the channels that we involved in the promotion of this project:
Our goal was to provide 365 pairs in a year. The final result of the initiative was represented by a total of 664 donated pairs in disadvantaged communities throughout the country.
Every child deserves to walk with confidence, whether it’s on their way to play or on their way to school. It’s about their way to the future.
Shoes are not just an accessory, but a bridge to education, opportunities, and most importantly, a happy childhood.
Together we have provided more than just a pair of shoes, we have provided hope, so that every child can run free, learn and dream. Together we proved that every step counts.
Partners:
