The Shoe Project was made possible through the generous support Mr Shoo Iwasaki, President of Green Cross Japan. The shoes were distributed in the schools of Kamara, Mau Summit and Mosop, as well as the Rongai Youth Sports Centre for Peace. These are all within the region of the Green Cross Sweden peace initiative and the Smart Water for Green Schools projects. As inspired by the vision and leadership of Professor Wangari Maathai, peace-building committees are established through the schools, and the Peace Trees planted there are now growing into forests. This initiative to provide shoes for children in these impoverished areas in the Rift Valley promotes health and the prevention of illnesses.

Green Cross wishes to thank all those who contributed and made the Shoe Project possible. The project coordinators include: Ryuji Kuwahara from Green Cross Japan, Tonia Moya from Green Cross Sweden, Wycliffe Matika, John Waweru and Teresa Muthone from the Green Belt Movement (GBM). Other key contributors include the GBM Board, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Education of Nakuru County, and the schools faculties of Kamara, Mau Summit and Mosop, as well as the Rongai Sports Peace Club.

Green Cross and the Green Belt Movement share a holistic methodology in the work to promote peace, security and sustainability. This collaboration started in 2005 through the initiative of the late Professor Wangari Maathai, GBM’s founder, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and Tonia Moya, GCS Executive Director.