In a remarkable initiative that bridged continents and hearts, the South African Healthcare Workers For Palestine hosted an extraordinary event on Saturday, February 10th, 2024. Titled ‘Soles of our Souls,’ this school shoe memorial, the largest of its kind in South Africa, took place across three cities – Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
Image above: GOTG CT Medical Volunteer team supporting the Global Day of Solidarity 13 Jan 2024 (Dr Sooliman was a guest speaker)
The event was dedicated to honouring the memory of over 13,000 innocent children who tragically lost their lives in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In a symbolic yet deeply impactful gesture, each pair of shoes signified a step towards hope and the enduring power of education. This campaign transcended geographical boundaries, highlighting a universal commitment to childhood and the future.
In collaboration with the Gift of the Givers, the South African Healthcare Workers For Palestine launched a crowdfunding initiative on BackaBuddy. The goal was to raise R1.5Million to provide school shoes, valued at R150.00 each, to underprivileged children in South Africa. Since January 17, 2024, the campaign was warmly received, with R1 140 000 already raised by over 342 donors.
Image above: Visual impact of a shoe vigil held in Vancouver to highlight children not returning to school due to violence.
Explaining the campaign’s ethos, organizers stated, “For every child who became a martyr, we strive to weave a thread of kindness into the lives of the less fortunate in South Africa.” This event was more than a memorial; it was a collective journey towards a brighter future for children, the foundation of our shared humanity.
The public was invited to join this movement of compassion. Each contribution, no matter the size, sent a powerful message of solidarity and love, demonstrating that in the face of adversity, compassion prevailed.
Image above: Crowds gathered at the Mandela Glasses, Sea Point in support of Palestine
BackaBuddy, South Africa’s largest donations based crowdfunding platform offered non-profit organisations like Gift of the Givers a 0% platform fee, ensuring that a greater portion of the donations directly benefited the children in need. Additionally, donors were eligible for a Section18A Tax certificate from Gift of the Givers.
Support the ‘Soles of our Souls’ campaign on BackaBuddy: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/soles4souls
A message of gratitude from the Gift of the Givers:
We want to express our sincere gratitude for your kind donation to our Soles for Souls Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of 342 caring individuals like you, we’ve surpassed our goal, raising over R 1,700,000! This incredible achievement has allowed us to provide 13,000 pairs of school shoes, bringing much-needed comfort and hope to children in South Africa’s most underprivileged regions. Your support not only helps those in need but also pays tribute to the memories of over 13,000 young lives lost in Gaza.
Each shoe, a step towards healing, symbolizes a thread of kindness interwoven with the legacy of those cherished souls. Your support extends beyond borders and touches hearts, demonstrating profound solidarity in a world in need of compassion.
Your involvement is not just a donation; it’s a partnership in creating a legacy of love and a future filled with promise. Thank you for standing with us, hand in hand, as we honour life and foster unity through simple acts of giving.
