Today is shoe drop day, this is the centre cause of the put foot rally. For us we are just trying to raise awareness of Rhino poaching but the put foot rally is about helping disadvantaged kids in Africa.
They do this by finding a school of very disadvantaged kids and putting shoes on their feet. We were asked to assemble at 8.30am and all the cars formed a convoy ready to head off to the school. We assembled in order of interesting cars and LuLu lined up third today.
After forming the convoy, we all grouped together for a briefing and were told of the unrest in Mozambique which is suddenly so serious that we would be at significant risk if we entered the country. Being a kiwi I would probably be seen as a high value target so I was doubly happy that the organisers had decided to change the route. We were now to finish in Botswana, a country that I have been keen to visit for a very long time.
Once the briefing was over we set off in convoy and it was very festive with police escorts and roadblocks giving us the run of the town. Livingstone isn't that big but I am sure we drove every street. The people came out and waved and cheered us through.
Being the first time the entire crew had been together since before Etosha, it was a special moment for the Rally. Once we arrived at the school, Chill left us to lead the convoy into the school grounds. The kids were all out on the playing fields sitting at their desks when we rocked up. 56 odd cars with all their stickers and themes and points of interest coming to the poorest school in the town was a huge occasion. The put foot foundation has already invested in the school with painting the classrooms and toilet blocks.
They do this by finding a school of very disadvantaged kids and putting shoes on their feet. We were asked to assemble at 8.30am and all the cars formed a convoy ready to head off to the school. We assembled in order of interesting cars and LuLu lined up third today.
After forming the convoy, we all grouped together for a briefing and were told of the unrest in Mozambique which is suddenly so serious that we would be at significant risk if we entered the country. Being a kiwi I would probably be seen as a high value target so I was doubly happy that the organisers had decided to change the route. We were now to finish in Botswana, a country that I have been keen to visit for a very long time.
Once the briefing was over we set off in convoy and it was very festive with police escorts and roadblocks giving us the run of the town. Livingstone isn't that big but I am sure we drove every street. The people came out and waved and cheered us through.
Being the first time the entire crew had been together since before Etosha, it was a special moment for the Rally. Once we arrived at the school, Chill left us to lead the convoy into the school grounds. The kids were all out on the playing fields sitting at their desks when we rocked up. 56 odd cars with all their stickers and themes and points of interest coming to the poorest school in the town was a huge occasion. The put foot foundation has already invested in the school with painting the classrooms and toilet blocks.
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We were welcomed by the principal in an impassioned speech. This school only exists because a local Zambian selflessly made it happen. Education isn't free nor compulsory in Zambia so poor disadvantaged kids fall through the system. Us rocking up with shoes, pads and pencils was amazing for them, I actually got the impression that many of the kids were terrified of us.
The shoe drop itself was quite emotional. To actually put shoes on the feet of kids who may never have owned shoes was moving to say the least. These kids are used to classroom sizes of 50 to 100, they are often from households where there are kids looking after kids, such is the problem with AIDS here. It wasn't too surprising to see many Put Footers openly crying. I actually spotted a hardened Stanger Lawyer, shed a tear, while fitting shoes.
After the shoe drop it was a quiet afternoon before preparing for the checkpoint party. Tonight's theme is barefoot royalty and we are going in kilts and crowns. Thanks Shelley for preparing the kilts for us all.
We made quite an impression as the Bagpipe Whisperer piped us in to the venue. As is the case with all checkpoint parties there was an excellent meal put on as well for this party the camp owner provided free beer. This was going to be a good night. :-)
After the dinner we were all called together for an announcement and in a very emotional moment we were told of Madiba's death. It was a solemn moment of reflection and acknowledgement of a great man. I felt privileged to be in a group of South African's during this moment.
It wasn't long before it became apparent that the rumors of his death were untrue with the conversation then turning to why won't they let him go with some dignity. Such a great man deserves the ultimate peace now.
The shoe drop itself was quite emotional. To actually put shoes on the feet of kids who may never have owned shoes was moving to say the least. These kids are used to classroom sizes of 50 to 100, they are often from households where there are kids looking after kids, such is the problem with AIDS here. It wasn't too surprising to see many Put Footers openly crying. I actually spotted a hardened Stanger Lawyer, shed a tear, while fitting shoes.
After the shoe drop it was a quiet afternoon before preparing for the checkpoint party. Tonight's theme is barefoot royalty and we are going in kilts and crowns. Thanks Shelley for preparing the kilts for us all.
We made quite an impression as the Bagpipe Whisperer piped us in to the venue. As is the case with all checkpoint parties there was an excellent meal put on as well for this party the camp owner provided free beer. This was going to be a good night. :-)
After the dinner we were all called together for an announcement and in a very emotional moment we were told of Madiba's death. It was a solemn moment of reflection and acknowledgement of a great man. I felt privileged to be in a group of South African's during this moment.
It wasn't long before it became apparent that the rumors of his death were untrue with the conversation then turning to why won't they let him go with some dignity. Such a great man deserves the ultimate peace now.
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