Sole worn out, yet Soul alive!

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Written by vl

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Last Friday 4-4-14, I landed in the city center. As I walked around, I noticed the large tent, which seemed to host everything for the upcoming Sunday Deutsche Post (annual) Marathon in Bonn. As I strolled in, amongst items on sale included fancy running shoes, OTC drugs for joints, running shorts, t-shirts, etc. However, a large heap of used shoes, caught my attention.

Upon enquiry, the lady very courteously said, that they represents a Bonn NGO F. D. Kinderherzenzentren e.V., which is collecting old shoes as donations. For every few kilos of shoes collected, they have a partner company, which will pay them few Euros per kilo of shoes in exchange. This money would then be used by this NGO, for providing support for kids with serious heart problems (from birth).

This did take me by surprise, as mostly old shoes are regularly collected (from our doors by other NGOs), perhaps to be used as aid, for other parts of the world that need them most? And there were more than 4-5 stalls there selling new expensive shoes as well. But old shoes had more social value? This novel use of the shoes to provide for heart care, came as a big surprise! Even if the sole is worn out, the soul shall be alive!

It left me wondering, if this was something we Indians could learn from?

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