School Shoes for Schools; here's the real story behind the initiative...

"I wish I was the happy boy (in the photo) smiling at his dad. I am the founder of Tinker Tank, born in the eighties, in South Africa, and a Black African without a father = born poor. As a teenager I thought I was cursed, but I understand now, life is neither fair or unfair, it doesn't take sides, it gives exactly what it promised, life. What I have learned is that I can reshape their today so their tomorrow is bright.

When following my passion, I often walked great distances, prospecting, taking public transport and every now and then, my shoes would wear, tear and retire, I understood, second hand shoes can only cover a second set of five toes for so long. I do not know of a closet of shoes, I know of a pair representing a period in my life, Asian Bazaar or Marabastad bought suede shoes had me on one fateful day coming back to the house not wearing any, the back part of the shoe wore off, the heel became to heavy and the back-heel thread had torn off. I must say, they were good though, for the next two days I was shoeless. I organised, and a pair of very tough brown, parabellum safety shoes resulted. A friendly female police officer- of a friend was kind enough, there were tough alright, real leather- a size too small- the bones in my foot were damned, but I wore them. After suffering for two weeks, the shoes laxed, only a little. I could only wear them for a few kilometres and take breaks...

Anyway, I could bore you with this sob shoe story when we meet, but this inspires me to commit, that no five to twelve year should take a long walk to freedom to having good shoes. That's why every month, Tinker Tank donates a pair or three to learners. We'd appreciate your donation too, thanks.