Finding their ‘SoleMates’: Pupils lighting up at the handover ceremony, where they received their sponsored shoes.
New shoes a step towards academic success
A PAIR of school shoes can do wonders for a child’s educational journey.
With that belief in mind, a group of 10 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Graduate School of Business who call themselves “SoleMates” came together to equip underprivileged children in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur with essential footwear for school.
Their “Walk a Child to School” fundraising effort recently culminated in some 1,307 pairs of school shoes, collectively valued at over RM60,000, being gifted to pupils from five schools.
Comprising pupils from low-income families and special needs children at SK Sungai Ramal Dalam, SK Impian Saujana, SMK Segambut, SK Tanjung Karang, and SK Parit Serong, the target group, said SoleMates, were selected based on their vulnerability and lack of access to basic needs.
“Collaborative efforts were undertaken to establish connections with school authorities, allowing us to obtain data essential for determining the pupils and their shoe sizes accurately,” the MBA students said in a press release dated Aug 23.
The team’s mentor Prof Dr Khairul Anuar Mohd Ali said: “This contribution encompasses more than just material assistance; it embodies a heartening manifestation of care and backing for the upcoming scholastic cohort.”
The team managed to achieve the feat, thanks to the collective effort of individual donors, as well as sponsors, namely, Baker’s Cottage under Leong Hup Malaysia Group, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Malaysia, Starbucks Malaysia, and Asadi.
The handover ceremony was held at SK Sungai Ramal Dalam on Aug 23, with representatives from all five schools present.
According to the press release from SoleMates, the initiative not only underscores the significance of adequate footwear in bolstering consistent student attendance, but also emphasises the broader spectrum of comfort and holistic welfare it bestows upon children.
It added that the effort is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (good health and well-being), and SDG 4 (quality education).
“UKM envisions these provisions as a stepping stone, granting pupils the opportunity to grasp a transformative education, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods and enriching their impact,” the team said.
It added that beyond providing the children with the tangible gift of shoes, the initiative is aimed at nurturing inclusiveness and active community involvement.
“These well-fitted school shoes do more than enhance pupils’ well-being; they serve as stepping stones to equitable education,” it said.
