By Meher Sikka, Class V Student of Gyanshree School Noida
It all started last year when our house in Noida was getting renovated. I was watching the workers fixing the walls and digging up mud outside. Their kids were playing nearby—barefoot. At first, I didn’t think much. But later, in school, we had a lesson about how walking barefoot even inside the house can be harmful. That got me thinking: if it’s not safe inside, how can these children walk barefoot outside—on hot roads, rocks, or even broken glass?
I asked my parents why they didn’t wear shoes. They explained it’s because many families simply can’t afford them. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I kept picturing those kids—running, playing, and walking without any shoes, their feet dusty and cracked.
So I told my parents I wanted to do something. Not something huge or fancy. Just give shoes to as many children as we could. That’s how ‘Kindsoles’ was born.
We spent the next few months looking for suppliers, figuring out how many shoes we could afford, and speaking to people who could help us find more children who needed them. Slowly, things began to come together. By the start of 2025, we were ready. With help from a few kind adults, some online platforms, and a lot of hope, we began giving out shoes.
Our first few visits were in Delhi and Noida. Then we went to Hyderabad and some places in Telangana. Wherever we went, the smiles were the same. Some kids held their shoes to their chest before putting them on. Others danced. One girl told me, “I’ll wear these even when I sleep!”
But I also saw more than just bare feet. I saw how not having something as simple as shoes made children feel left out or embarrassed. Some wouldn’t join games. Some looked away when we talked. That made me realize—it’s not just about safety. It’s about confidence. Dignity. Feeling like you belong.
Doctors say walking barefoot on bad roads can cause infections, back problems, and injuries. But no one really talks about the sadness it brings. That’s what ‘Kindsoles’ wants to fix—not just feet, but feelings too.
Now, with help from my family, we’re working with schools, Resident Welfare Associations, construction sites, and local groups. We want to find more children who need shoes. Some people even message us on social media to help. I don’t know where all this will go, but I dream that one day, no child in India—or maybe anywhere—has to walk barefoot just because they don’t have enough money.
I still go to school. I still play and study like any other kid. But now I also pack shoes and write thank-you notes to people who donate. It’s a little extra work, but it makes me happy.
People say I’m doing something special, but I don’t feel that way. I just saw something wrong and wanted to do something about it. You don’t need to be big or rich to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is a small step… in a new pair of shoes.
