shoes

the school year starts 7 february here. almost all kids walk barefoot. i have seen some kids walking pigeon-toed wearing shoes that don't fit them. they don't complain, they just curl their toes up. for 5,000 colones, costa rican currency, you can buy a pair of school shoes for a boy or girl. depending on the exchange it's about $14 cdn. 8,000 colones if your feet are bigger. if you don't have a uniform you don't go to school. if you don't have money to buy a uniform you may get one that's been passed down til it's worn thin. at christmas when they were interviewing kids on tv and asking them what they wanted for christmas most said shoes and-or pants. most people i know wear second hand clothes but it's tough to wear shoes that have already been worn and molded into the shape of someone else's foot.

instead of buying a 7th pair of shoes how about buying a first pair of shoes for a little boy or girl in costa rica.