Teens craft shoes for African kids

by Sharon Cliff

What do you get when you combine several hundred pairs of jeans and a group of teen campers? A camp craft that can change lives — 240 lives, to be exact.

Young Women groups from eight local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent part of their recent camp week cutting denim into pieces that will be sewn into shoes for children in Uganda.

“The girls and the ladies kept cutting all week long; 240 pairs,12 pieces each pair — I can’t even count that high,” said Hillary Gilbert, of Flower Mound, who was in charge of crafts for camp. Gilbert estimated that 300-400 pairs of jeans were donated by local Church members for the project.

Making shoes out of old denim is one way Sole Hope, a nonprofit organization, helps African children. Without shoes to protect their feet, children in Uganda may become infected with jiggers, parasitic fleas that burrow into feet and multiply, damaging tissue and causing wounds that are prone to infection and disease. This is preventable with shoes.

“Its surprising to see the difference in culture,” said MarLynn Hickson,15, of Lantana. “We’re so blessed to have so much, and they can’t even afford shoes.”

Sole Hope founder Asher Collie created the pattern used in “shoe cutting parties” around the world. Volunteers trace and cut pieces from the pattern, labeling every individual piece. They then safety pin together the 12 pieces needed for each pair. At this stage, there is no sewing involved.

“It’s not difficult at all, its just time consuming,” said Hickson.

First-time camper Nicolette McIntyre, 12, of Double Oak, gave up free time at the lake to help. “I’d rather be serving other people,” she said, “It’s fun to serve others; it makes me feel happy and joyful.”

Campers and leaders all worked on 8T shoes, the size worn by 2-3 year olds. All 240 pair sets  pinned together during camp will be sent to Sole Hope in North Carolina. From there, they will be sent on to Uganda, where Sole Hope trains local people to sew the pieces together and add soles.

“It’s not a handout. said Kyna Erickson, of Lantana, who serves as Young Women President in her congregation. “It’s providing for their needs, but it’s lifting at the same time.”

“Our year theme is Embark in the Service of God, and this project helps us to apply the theme,” said Lizzie Gallini, 13, of Flower Mound, “I think it’s really cool how that lady came up with this.”