Shoes for School Children

Ntuthuko Nkosi got to know the work and staff of the ELM in South Africa. Since this year, the ELM has been supporting this important assistance for school children in his parish in Durban.

Children who come to school barefoot in winter. Children in broken shoes. Or children using second-hand shoes that don't fit them. Ntuthuko Nkosi, pastor of the ELCSA South-Eastern Diocese in the large township of uMlazi, south of Durban (South Africa), often saw these images during the morning devotions he holds in the local schools. The South African theologian, who is currently visiting Germany, reports that he loves singing and praying with the children during the weekly morning devotions. But it makes him sad when children have to worry about the future and can't just be carefree kids.

That's why Nkosi started the school shoes project. Two years ago, with the support of friends in Germany, he started buying school shoes for children and personally delivering them to their families. Then, last year, school uniforms were purchased. One year of shoes, one year of school uniforms - with this alternating programme, he and his colleagues wanted to reach as many pupils as possible. "We are the eyes and hands and feet of Jesus," says the pastor. For him, it is obvious that children should be dressed in a way that makes them feel comfortable and have good self-esteem when they go to school.

Starting this year, ELM has been supporting his commitment financially. He has been in contact with our mission organisation for some time: through the joint work in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), through ELM employees sent to the region, through texts that he wrote for the Friedensort2GO pilgrimage in Hermannsburg and, last year, through his participation in the ELM's Friedensort2GO camp in South Africa. Now he has come to Germany for the first time in his life at the invitation of the ELM. He has been involved in a wide variety of events organised by Friedensort2GO and other ELM departments: a workshop with intern pastors from the regional churches, weekly prayers for peace in a local congregation, lessons at a local secondary school, an event on "South Africa after the election" in Hanover, and many more. He also visited another participant in the Friedensort2GO camp and, through him, gained an insight into the diaconal work for unemployed young people in Diepholz.

Even after this short time in Germany, Ntuthuko Nkosi is already marvelling at the differences to his home country. "I don't think I've ever experienced such silence as when I woke up in the morning here in Hermannsburg," he says. He is also impressed by the punctuality of the Germans. Germany is a beautiful and colourful country, he says, describing his impressions. But it doesn't come out on top in all comparisons. "In South Africa it's normal to be greeted with a 'hello' and a smile when you walk into a shop, for example," he says. He has at times experienced this differently during his visit to Germany. He also sees a lot of catching up to do when it comes to communicating with foreigners. English is rarely spoken, he regrets.