*Shopper alert* Two pairs of shoes for the price of one...

Two pairs of shoes for the price of one! Sound like a good deal?
Two pairs of shoes for only R100! Sounding even better, isn't it?
Two pairs of shoes and the opportunity to give one of those pairs to a child who doesn't have any shoes... Interested?

Let me tell you more...

For the longest time I've been looking for a way to involve myself in some kind of community project. Even as a child, I remember always wanting to do something to help someone. I used to join my Mom when she helped out at the Freemason's meetings on a Friday evening, we'd prepare the food for the meeting and serve it to the men (sounds pretty sexist when I think of it now), many of those men were absolutely ancient to a 15 year-old me but I used to love to sit and chat with them, helping them to carry their plates, or pulling out their chairs for them.

Years later and I'm still looking for something to really sink my teeth into, something that's going to make a 'difference' - and there are loads of ways to get involved in helping people less fortunate than yourself. Monday of last week was so dam cold that on the way home I stopped at the Spar and bought the weekly special - a roast chicken and 6 bread rolls. I gave the food to the man standing sadly at the traffic light with a holey blanket flapping wildly around his body. It was so easy and it cost only a few rand. I could do something like that every month, or every week - and it will make a difference to someone - but only momentarily. I love the Cheesekids for Humanity campaign. It's fabulous, but to be honest, I just can't dedicate an entire Saturday to helping out at a soup kitchen or painting a school because weekends provide the time I need to spend with my own family. 

A while ago I was introduced to barefoot no more. I fell in love with this campaign. It appealed to the part of me that is a Mother and it appealed to that huge part of me that wants to make a difference. The part of me that is yearning to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. I was so enamoured with this campaign that I felt I just had to find a way to get involved.

So last week I met with a team of dynamic women who have worked their butts off, and sacrificed much to get this campaign off the ground. Enter the office of barefoot no more and it's organised chaos - packed pairs of shoes everywhere, slop samples on table tops, phones ringing and excited conversations as yet another order is placed. The beautifully crafted words on the wall read 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams'.

And this indeed is a dream being realised for Julie, Lee and Karen, but also for the children who are the recipients of the shoes you buy.

The concept...
Two for one (241) slops. Buy a pair of slops for only R100 and a pair of shoes will be given to a child in need! That's not a maybe, or a possibility, or an empty promise. When you pay R100 for a pair of 241 slops, you actually buy two pairs of shoes - and one of them is your gift to a child in need.

The slops? Think Roxy / Billabong-quality slops. For men, women and children.

The shoes being given? Think Crocs. They don't look like Crocs but the material that they're made from is similar. The shoes are flexible, lightweight, waterproof and durable. They are manufactured locally and recyclable, although chances are they will be handed down to a younger child once outgrown. As soon as I heard about the campaign my interest was peaked, but as soon as I saw the shoes, I was sold. They're practical and comfortable (yes, I tried a pair on) - and they're stretchy, which is of utmost importance. Any parent knows how fast kids outgrow their shoes.

I have so much more to tell you. I'm going to provide you with pictures, facts and stats. I'm so excited about this initiative. I don't have all the information I need yet to be able to tell you more right now, but I will tell you that this is something to think about. Instead of buying a pair of Ipanemas this Summer, buy yourself, your husband, and your kids (yes, the kids slops are super-cute) a pair of 241 slops, and in doing so, you'll be buying a pair of shoes for a child you don't even know. Just say the word and I'll place your order. Now isn't that easy - this really means something, you can do it every year! Budget R400 for a family of four and you'll shoe four other kids. Tell your own kids about it. Let them know what it means to wear the slops. Spread the news - please, spread the news!

As I left the barefoot no more offices, Lee yelled out "Gwen! Help us to change the world!"

This is going to be big - you're not going to want to miss out :-)
WATCH THIS SPACE!

xx