Struggling for Knowledge: Barefoot Journeys of Hope and Healing in Indonesia’s Remote Heartlands
Unveiling the Real Risks: The Price of Barefoot Education in Ultra-Rural Indonesia and How We’re Making Every Step Safer
In the ultra-rural regions of eastern Indonesia, children embark on an extraordinary daily journey to school. Their bare feet, in direct contact with the earth, mud, or rocky paths, bear the weight of their educational dreams. These young souls, amidst breathtaking yet often harsh landscapes, face genuine risks by walking without shoes.
The simple act of traversing these unpaved trails can lead to injuries in these children. Sharp stones and rugged terrains are constant threats. But what makes the situation even more concerning is the lack of access to medical care in case of injuries. In these remote areas, healthcare services are scarce, and families often lack the financial means to seek necessary medical treatment for injuries.
It’s crucial to address these challenges, which is why Fair Future and Kawan Baik have established the #PrimaryMedicalCare program. This program aims to provide essential medical access to these children and their families, ensuring that potential injuries caused by walking barefoot do not escalate into medical tragedies. Each step these children take on the path to school is now protected by a layer of medical security.
Families in these ultra-rural regions live in extreme poverty. Even obtaining food is often a daily struggle. Basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste, food, rice, vegetables, shoes, and clothing come at prohibitive costs for them. Every expense is carefully calculated, and simply providing these basic goods can be a glimmer of hope for these families.
Every year, Fair Future distributes hundreds of pairs of shoes to children in these regions. These shoes, primarily second-hand items, are brought by friends of the Foundation to the Foundation’s headquarters. This is the #ShoesForWalk program, an initiative allowing anyone to join us. You can contribute by donating or by bringing your used shoes. Each pair of shoes represents one more step toward a better future for these children.
In this ultra-rural village in the far east of Indonesia, the footprints of children on muddy paths tell a story of resilience. Each footprint bears witness to a daily struggle, determination, and hope for a better future. The bare feet of these young students on these challenging paths are a stark image of the relentless pursuit of knowledge despite obstacles.
We are honoured to be part of this story by providing medical support and offering shoes for each step toward a more promising future.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, the 20th of December, 2023
