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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
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Montessori Students Take a Trek Without Shoes

About 60 youngsters stepped with care and purpose Tuesday afternoon from the Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy to the Red Hook ferry terminal on St. Thomas in stocking feet or barefoot, carrying signs that read "One Day Without Shoes," while informing onlookers of their mission.

This is the fourth year that the Interact Club of the Peter Gruber International Academy has joined classmates in a global awareness exercise celebrated in April to bring attention to how many children worldwide go shoeless every day.

The students Tuesday were clearly enjoying themselves while assembling for the trek. They had been shoeless all day at school, clad in an array of socks ranging from zebra stripes to polka dots, birds to butterflies, and knee socks to anklets, some matching – most not.

As the saying goes, you never know someone until you’ve walked a mile in (or without) someone else’s shoes, and with empathy on their minds, the kids were exchanging views on doing just that.

A veteran of previous barefoot walks, Andrew Remeselnik said, "I grew up mostly barefoot. It’s just so important to feel for those kids who have to go without."

Keon Hendrickson said it was “interesting” and “fun to be able to relate to other kids."

“Yeah. To feel what they feel," echoed Jeremy Knight.

Erika Lowry got to the heart of the matter. "Even if it hurts your toes, it’s worth it."

Montessori teacher and Interact Club advisor Elizabeth Elger instructed the youngsters before setting out. After roll call, she asked the students if they knew how many children go without shoes daily. "One million," said one student.

"No. Four million," replied Elger. "How many pairs of shoes do each of you have?" she asked to the now hushed crowd.

She told the students that podoconiosis, a debilitating disease that causes extremely painful swelling of the feet and legs, affects more than 4 million people in at least 15 countries and could easily be combated by proper foot hygiene, including wearing shoes.

Now, as to the trek, Elger stressed to the youngsters that safety was the name of the day. She didn’t mince words. "I guarantee you that you will run into thorns, glass, gum and chicken poop," she said.

"You will have chaperones every few feet. If you need help, let them know immediately. We have first aid or, if you can’t continue, someone will come pick you up. March with a buddy," she concluded, and they were off.

After the walk, Elger said, "As I predicted, we had students get cut by glass and step in gum. It was a great deal hotter this year than last and the students definitely had a harder time." And though first aid was administered, they all made it back.

"One Day without Shoes" was created by TOMS Shoes to increase awareness about illnesses and disadvantages for those who do not have shoes. The company began making simple canvas shoes and donating a pair for every pair sold.

TOMS has stations all around the world where they give shoes mostly to children, Jenkins said. The children they donate to are susceptible to countless infections from things like hookworm, debris and soil-based diseases.

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.

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