NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DR. MATHIEU EUGENE,
A GROUP OF NEW YORK BASED HAITIAN PHYSICIANS AND OTHERS SUPPORT GLOBAL SOLES FOOTWEAR INITIATIVE
TO HAITI IN NOVEMBER
Haiti was selected as a location for this year's initiative following a trip to the country by Global Soles founder Akinnuoye in February 2007. While on a medical mission, Akinnuoye along with Dr. Benoit and other medical professionals provided medical treatment for over 100 patients per day for four days. Most of the patients who were treated had no shoes. They walked barefoot on dirt roads and were exposed to all kinds of bacteria which can lead to acute infections. "Global Soles shoes is an innovative idea," states Dr. Benoit. "It will feed the soul of the needy, Haitians' feet. I am excited to be part of this trip. It is self-rewarding when giving back."
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with high rates of HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, unemployment, poverty and numerous problems affecting the public safety of its residents such as severe weather conditions, hurricanes and natural disasters. On Thursday, November 19, a group of missionaries will arrive in Port-au-Prince and will begin distributing footwear on Friday, November 20, Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22. Prior to the mission trip, Global Soles is planning a fundraiser event in October where all attendees will be required to bring a product donation and/or make a monetary contribution (further details are forthcoming).
Born on a mission trip to South Africa in August 2007, the vision of Global Soles was conceived by Akinnuoye, while visiting the country with his church, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Brooklyn, New York (Rev. Anthony L. Trufant, Senior Pastor). One year later in August 2008, Global Soles successfully completed its inaugural mission in Johannesburg, South Africa and Swaziland. The small group of missionaries visited and distributed shoes to the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society in Soweto, coordinated by Dr. Nobs of COPES-SA. The next day, they all traveled to Swaziland and handed out shoes to the people of that community at St. Paul Church.
In addition to the various mission trips planned by Global Soles, the organization participates in various shoe Global Soles Malawi Kidsdonations. In 2009, two shoe offerings were made in Malawi and Jamaica. In February, Global Soles partnered with the Carousel Children Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and provided 400 pairs of shoes to the children of the Malawi community. And in June, the organization worked with Kachina L. DaCosta, Esq. to provide 100 pairs of children shoes to the Leaving Something Behind Foundation who donated the shoes to SOS Children's Village Barrett Town, a community-based group located in Barrett Town, Jamaica.
Global Soles is requesting NEW footwear ONLY for children and adults including sneakers, black dress shoes, rain and casual boots for work, school, church and play. Socks are also needed for this mission. Global Soles is a 501(c) 3 organization that solicits footwear and monetary contributions from individuals, groups, churches, faith-based organizations, non-profits, fraternities and sororities, corporations, community groups, and educational institutions. For monetary contributions all checks should be made out to: Global Soles, Inc. and mailed to Rotimi Akinnuoye, 248 Clifton Place, Brooklyn, New York 11216.
Product donations can also be shipped via mail to:
Self Storage America
c/o Rotimi Akinnuoye
45 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11205
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"We've given out more than 2,000 pairs of shoes, as well as socks and clothing, but we need more sponsorships and shoes," Mr. Akinnouye said. Next month, Global Soles hopes to fulfill its most ambitious effort yet - to provide 5,000 pairs of new shoes to disadvantaged youngsters and adults in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, before the Thanksgiving holiday. The Golden Daughters Foundation, Hip Hop Gives Back and Haitians in Atlanta also have partnered with Global Soles to provide shoes to Haiti. With 600 pairs already on hand, Mr. Akinnuoye said, "We're optimistic [that] by the end of October, we will have reached our goal of 5,000 shoes." In the Washington area, Athena Cross, an HMO executive, is the Global Shoes liaison. Two Adams Morgan stores, Fleet Feet DC and Evolve, will serve as drop-off centers for donations. Both are in the 1800 block of Columbia Road Northwest. A group of missionaries will travel to Port-Au-Prince and distribute shoes and other items Nov. 20 through 22. Mr. Akinnouye plans to host a fundraiser later this month where attendees will be asked to donate shoes, clothing or money. Global Soles is requesting footwear (new only) for children and adults, including sneakers, black dress shoes, and rain and casual boots for work, school, church and play. Socks also are needed.
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