In a recent video, the famous Youtuber Mr. Beast donated 20,000 pairs of shoes to children in South Africa who are experiencing hardship, some of whom have never owned a pair of shoes before.
Mr. Beast explained that poverty forces children in rural areas to walk barefoot, often for miles on uneven terrain, broken glass, and contaminated water. To address this issue, Mr. Beast’s team partnered with Barefoot No More, a charity that provides shoes to children in South Africa.
In the video, two junior school teachers, Gabriella and Roswell, spoke about their difficulties in getting children to school and how they walk miles every day.
Mr. Beast distributed the shoes to nine schools in the area, and the children eagerly flocked to receive a pair of sneakers once they learned about them. Seeing the children try on their new shoes brought Mr. Beast joy, reminding him of how simple needs, often overlooked, can make a huge difference in the lives of those living in poverty.
Gabriella highlighted that school shoes can make a significant impact on the lives and learning of her students. Rowsell was astonished by the effect of the gift, noting that the children behaved as if they had been given high-tech gaming consoles.
According to the Harvard Human Rights Program, many rural South African students face extreme challenges, such as having to travel more than 20km per day, crossing rough terrain and rivers, dealing with severe weather conditions, emotional distress, physical injuries, and other difficulties.