FROM SOLE TO SOUL: A CAMPUS UNITED BY COMPASSION

Wilhelmina Ernstig 

@_wilhelmina_ernstig_

 

On a campus buzzing with activity and ambition, there comes a day when students stop to walk in someone else’s shoes—or rather, without them. Barefoot Day, hosted by the Transformation and Diversity (TAD) SCC, is more than just a fun-filled competition between residences; it’s a powerful reminder of the reality many face daily living without the basic comfort of clothing, shoes, and blankets. What begins as a friendly contest to collect the most second-hand clothes becomes a meaningful act of solidarity and compassion, connecting students with those in need in a tangible and heartfelt way.

 

From foot-painting contests and fast-paced dressing races to fashion shows featuring outfits made from donated clothes, this day bursts with joy and laughter. Yet at its heart lies a deeper purpose: to reflect on the privileges we often take for granted and to share what we can with others.

 

A resident from Laureus Men’s Residence added that the event is meant to raise awareness for the communities around us who are struggling, “I love the community and creativity of the people on campus.”

 

“We get to put ourselves in other people’s shoes,” says Thulaganyo Mosibi, an HC member of Minjonet Ladies’ Residence, “and understand how they live and what they go through on a daily basis.” Mosibi’s goal is to help as many people as she can with the clothes she and her residents have collected.

 

A resident from Wanda Ladies’ Residence said that Barefoot Day also means a lot to her, “We all own so many clothes that we don’t wear, and those clothes can be useful to someone else.” She praised the initiative, saying, “Especially with winter coming around, we can make a lot of people happy and warm.”

 

As the day comes to a close and the final tallies are weighed, what lingers is not the competition but the compassion. The donated clothes may be counted in kilograms, but their true value lies in the warmth, dignity, and hope they offer to someone else. In the words of a Wanda Ladies’ Residence participant, “It’s something bigger than ourselves.”

 

Barefoot Day may come only once a year, but its impact walks on long after the paint has faded and the fun has passed.

 

 

Photo by @ksrnwupuk

 

Edited by Isabel Burgers