Support, Protection, and Pride: School Shoes and Socks
Support 1 student annually @ $19.00 / month (KES 2,400.00) to buy School Shoes (Bata Bullets) and Socks.
The Walk of Shame: Why Footwear Matters
School shoes are not a luxury; they are a necessary piece of protective equipment, especially in the harsh, often unpaved environments of Nairobi's informal settlements and the rural terrain of Bungoma and Kakamega. For a child from a vulnerable background, worn-out, ill-fitting, or completely absent footwear is a source of acute physical risk (cuts, jiggers, and infections) and profound social shame.
Attending school without proper shoes forces a child to walk long distances barefoot or in dilapidated sandals, risking serious injury and chronic foot diseases that lead to pain and missed school days. Moreover, in a school environment where uniform conformity is expected, lacking appropriate shoes instantly marks a child as desperately poor, affecting their self-esteem and making them a target for bullying. This contributes to the high dropout rates observed, particularly in Bungoma County, where up to 35% of secondary students drop out before completion (Bungoma County Review, 2025).
Sports
Shoes and socks are essential for physical activity. Our sports programs require students to be mobile and safe. By providing durable footwear, we enable them to run, jump, and play confidently, fostering the discipline, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits taught through HBI's mentorship integrated into sporting events.
Education Empowerment
Proper footwear drastically reduces health-related absenteeism (from jiggers and infections) and restores confidence, ensuring the student feels equal to their peers. This sense of pride translates directly into better classroom engagement and higher retention rates throughout the school year.
Economic Empowerment
Durable, quality shoes last longer than cheap alternatives, providing a sustained protective barrier and saving the family from repeated costs of shoe replacement and medical treatment for foot-related infections, thereby securing their meager financial resources.
The HBI Solution: Confidence from the Ground Up
Your annual commitment, paid at $19 per month (KES 2,400), provides one student with high-quality, durable school shoes (like the reliable Bata Bullets) and socks. This is a foundational item that provides immediate physical protection and a massive psychological boost.
How Shoes and Socks Support HBI's Pillars
The Walk of Shame: Why Footwear Matters
Stand Tall, Step Forward
Your donation is the foundation upon which a student's confidence is built. When they put on new, durable shoes, they are not just wearing leather; they are wearing pride, protection, and the promise of a brighter future. Support a student's safe journey to school today.
