What a buddying entrepreneur this 15 year old, Year 11 Baradene student is! Molly wanted to make a change to NZ kids’ lives and help the community by “making sure that every child in her area have a warm, well-made pair of shoes to attend school in”.She noticed that many kids in Glen Innes were walking to school barefoot, or in unsuitable and uncomfortable footwear. So, she set up ‘Second Step', a non-profit organization. The mission: to provide good quality, second hand shoes to children in need. Molly was aware of the fact the kids’ feet grow very quickly and for many families, providing comfortable and 'correct uniform' shoes is unaffordable. So, the concept of donating pre-loved shoes (sourced from students and families who could afford them) was born.
Second Step are already working with their first batch of donated shoes from Baradene families. Once received the shoes are repaired (if necessary); given a professional clean and dazzling spruce-up and are presented with a label advising details of the donor school, which provides a nice “connection” for those involved in the process.
The plan is to start off supplying a small number of local schools - but the ultimate goal is to take the project regionally, then nationally to provide a donor service to children all over New Zealand.
‘Second Step’ has already partnered with McKinley’s (who make the majority of school shoes) and Gemmells, a shoe repairer. They are also sourcing companies who can potentially provide shoe boxes, laces, polish or anything else that could help improve the physical state of the donated shoes. For further information please visit their website: www.secondstepnz.org
Molly’s project is inspirational and it was most fitting to have this resourceful young woman present to our club on International Women’s Day! The Club were extremely impressed with Molly's presentation and are donating $100 from the Sunshine Fund to Second Step.