A Day Without Dignity – Shoe Repair

Shoe Repair in Lilongwe Market, Area 3. October 2009

Reuse, recycle, repair seem to be the golden rules for shoes in Malawi.  If the sole of your shoe gets worn through, if your heal breaks loose, if you need some touching-ups, you take it to the shoe repair man.  These are conveniently located in a market place, but can also be found along the side of the road – especially busy roads – and are distinguished by the hanging row of shoes that have become so worn as to be irreparable.

It’s not that new shoes are not available – they are in stores with big glass windows and stacked displays – but there is a certain resiliency and resistance in Malawi that enables the lifecycle of shoes to extend longer than we might imagine.  Of course, a new pair of shoes is a treat for anyone and a lady wear a new pair of dressy sandals is bound to show them off.  The point is though, there are shoes – cheap plastic shoes from China, expensive shoes from South Africa and Europe, repaired shoes from men in the markets.

Malawi doesn’t need more shoes sent in bundles from well-intentioned donors who spend a day walking barefoot in order to develop blisters, scrapes and empathy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blake-mycoskie/one-day-without-shoes-its_b_523190.html Malawians need stronger businesses and access to markets to be able to earn a decent income so that they are able to buy whatever shoes they want, when they want them.

So rather than spending a day walking barefoot, spend a day thinking about the supply chain of shoes.  Spend a day thinking about how to develop sustainable businesses in Malawi, and take meaningful, intelligent action. http://www.ewb.ca/en/whatyoucando/index.html

This post is part of a series in support of A Day Without Dignity campaign led by Good Intentions are Not Enough.