Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party: A Small Step that Makes a Big Difference in the World

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” –Mother Teresa

When I was 11 years old, my parents sold all our earthly possessions and moved us to the Congo, where our family served on the mission field for 2 years.

At the time, my preteen self felt that I was missing out on so much. As an adult I realize the experiences of 2 years in Africa far outweighed anything I would have learned in junior high.

The very young Dr. Rupe, helping with a missionary clinic in Zaire circa 1987

When we lived in Africa, our parents were strict about making sure we always wore shoes outside. Parasites lived in the soil that could infect your feet by boring through the skin to lay eggs which formed painful cysts. Each night our parents would check our feet to make sure that we didn’t have any “Funza” {the parasites}. I can remember the times we did have them, our parents would use needles to painfully dig them out of our feet {similar to a splinter}.

This was all a distant memory to me until a month ago when I attended The Influence Conference. Our first night there, we were introduced to Sole Hope, a non-profit started by a young couple who felt God calling them to Uganda to care for foot related health issues, mainly the Funza {they refer to them with the English term ‘Jiggers’ on their website}. As I listened to the founder, a woman younger than me with 3 small kids, my heart was consumed with compassion for the children of Uganda. We watched videos of children whose feet were so infested with jiggers that they couldn’t walk or go to school. Many of these little children live in constant pain because they don’t have shoes or anyone to clean their feet.

Seeing these beautiful children, the same ages as my own kids, needlessly suffering was gut wrenching. I wept. It was like being transported 20 years back in time. I remembered what that pain felt like.

The good news is it’s a ridiculously easy problem to solve. These kids simply need shoes and someone who cares enough to treat their feet.

This is what Sole Hope does. They clean the children’s feet, carefully removing the parasites and bandaging the wounds. They also provide closed toed shoes to help keep their feet healthy.

The awesome part is how WE can get involved. The materials for the shoes are prefabricated by supporters at shoe cutting parties. You get together with your friends, gather supplies and use their templates to cut out the shoe uppers, then mail them to their headquarters in the U.S. where the pieces are sent to Africa. There, locals are employed to assemble the shoes.

“Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something.” – SoleHope

I have missionaries that I support each month, but often I feel like I need to do more than just write a check. I do not feel led to full time missions, but here is an organization I can partner with to DO something tangible to help precious little ones around the globe.

I recently had my first shoe cutting party and it was amazing. I was overwhelmed at the support of my friends as they joined me to spend the evening making shoe uppers for Africa. Many are planning to have shoe parties of their own.

 

I had my shoe party as a girl’s night, but you could easily do it for a small group or youth group gathering.

I can’t save the world, but I am determined to make a difference in the world.

How can you get in involved?

• Host a shoe party. Follow the link for more information on how you can have fun and make a difference. It makes a great project for a life group, girls night, youth group or even Christmas party. If you live in Middle Tennessee and want help or advice contact me: info AT drheatherrupe DOT com
• Write a check. Sole Hope needs money. I linked to a project to fund a full time Ugandan nurse for a year. If everyone who reads this just takes the time to give $10, this project will be funded. {to give through pure charity, you need to sign up for an account first}
• Spread the news on social media. Share this post on Facebook and Twitter. Follow Sole Hope to get updates from Uganda.
• Pray for this organization and these precious children.

This was just my first party. I can’t wait to do it again. Please join me in supporting this amazing organization with your time, money and talents.

Have you ever been to Africa? If so, what is your most vivid memory? What are some ways you can get involved at home to help those in need across the world?

A HUGE Thank you to Elaine Drabik Photography for providing the pics from the shoe cutting party!