NPO no: 132-580

Our story

Our core focus is to serve impoverished children who don’t have shoes.
Samaritan’s Feet is a South African NPO that forms part of an international humanitarian organisation. Our approach is one of not merely giving shoes, but of giving hope. Because what these children hunger for more than anything else is hope.

When donating shoes to kids, we focus on connection. Because positive connection, both physical and emotional, makes an enormous impact on their lives. We spend time with them, washing and caring for their feet. We connect with their hearts, encouraging their hopes and dreams, and reminding them that their lives matter.

Ours is a happy and hope-filled effort. Aiming to protect and serve both the feet and hearts of the children. Ultimately, we’re about changing lives. Those of the kids, our volunteers and our partners.

new-shoes

Why
shoes?

Millions of children die every year from foot-borne diseases. Shoes are required for prevention and protection. Join Samaritan’s Feet today and help us eliminate this epidemic, while making the world a better place. Read the full report here >

Why the blue gloves?

Wearing gloves is a safety requirement from the Department of Health – to prevent transmission of disease and infection that can occur with skin-to-skin contact. If you’d like to find out more, have a look at the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy document.

Manny’s story

Over 30 years ago, on a hot, summer afternoon in Lagos, Nigeria; a missionary from Wisconsin approached a young African boy and invited him to enter a contest where the prize was a pair of shoes. For this young boy, like so many others in Africa, the chance to own just one pair of shoes was beyond his wildest dreams that day. That boy’s name was Emmanuel Ohonme. Emmanuel “Manny” Ohonme won the contest on that hot, summer day and earned his first-ever pair of shoes. But, even more important than the pair of shoes, were the words of hope shared by this “Good Samaritan”. The missionary gave not only the gift of shoes to the young boy, but the gift of encouragement to believe in your dreams, reach for the sky, and never give up. That gift of hope propelled the young boy to work hard at developing his talents, skills, and confidence. As a young man, he turned those lessons into success, earning a full basketball scholarship to a college in America. Earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Manny was climbing the ladder of success in the technology industry. Then on a trip home to Nigeria, his passion and compassion collided and became a vision of Samaritan’s Feet. Determined to make a difference, both in his homeland and around the world, Manny and his wife, Tracie began Samaritan’s Feet in 2003. Through Samaritan’s Feet, Manny now has the opportunity to continue the legacy of love and hope he received when he was given his first pair of shoes, and to make a difference in the lives of millions.

“Shoes are a symbol of hope that help children to walk into their destiny.”