Boots take first steps on journey to Cambodia

Kerryman
http://www.kerryman.ie

Wednesday May 20 2009

OVER 1,000 pairs of football boots and shoes of various design and size left Castleisland at midday on Wednesday at the start of a marathon trek to Cambodia.

The footwear was packed into plastic crates and wrapped in cellophane for the cross-country trip which is expected to take up to 40 days.

The appeal for old or abandoned boots was launched on this page on the issue of March 11. The response was immediate, rapid and sustained. It left the organisers, Catherine Brosnan from Castleisland and her accomplice, Catherine Keane from Ballybunion, searching for superlatives to reflect their amazement and gratitude at the outpouring of generosity. Donations of boots and shoes came in abundance from the locality here and from throughout Kerry in general.

Over 50 per cent of the consignment is new stock from shops. Families, who didn't have old boots to hand, went out and bought the gear to donate.

There was a meitheál atmosphere in Cahernard on Wednesday morning as a small army of friends and neighbours helped the women to load Tralee native, Michael Connolly's Garryowen Transport artic with the crated leather, buckles, laces and studs.

There was no waste in this operation. Boots that came in soiled were washed and disrobed of their laces and these, in turn, were washed and bleached. The inside of the boots were dusted with Bread Soda to rid them of any lingering odours. Those beyond help had their cogs removed and packed as spares with the rest of the consignment.

The Brosnan's involvement in the venture centres on the fact that their daughter, Niamh is a volunteer with a 'Street Children' programme in Cambodia and she put out the appeal last March after working on the ground there. Niamh provided us with some background on the conditions which made her look west for help:

"Cambodia today remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and for that matter, in the world. The political turmoil of the last three decades and resulting disruption of economic and social stability has left many Khmers without a functioning support network or a permanent source of income. As a result, many families exist below the poverty line, with little access to money, food, education and healthcare.

"Garbage kids" collect rubbish, sometimes at the age of four or five and this is sold for about 30c per day, this helps the family with food and shelter money. Older children are either sent out for prostitution or sold for a single payment. The average family lives in a 3 x 3m hut, with no running water or sanitation. The children have no prior education, and most of their parents have not been educated," Niamh explained.

Niamh spent her time in Cambodia with the Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF), which is a non-profit NGO organization and she offers some insights on the programmes she's involved with: "ISF offer the children an 'Education for Food' and a 'Soccer Programme'. If the children attend ISF prep school, they will get education and food on a daily basis, for some children this is the only meal they get each day, and some of the children go back to collecting rubbish from the dumps after school. The parents get a monthly food package to off set the loss of income the child could earn on the streets, while attending school. This is the incentive to keep the children at ISF.

The Soccer Programme reaches a wider audience and currently supports 1,200 children throughout Cambodia. This comprises of 18 different charities representing local orphanages, Rescue Centres for abused and abandoned children, NGO's and disadvantaged families. The physical and mental benefits of the programme to these children cannot be described in words. From the time they put on their team football jerseys, they are joyous children who are happy and proud to be part of something bigger. While they kick and chase the ball around the pitch they are no longer Street, Abused, Abandoned or Garbage Children, just children - these titles are left on the side line. This is a priceless gift. The transformation of emotions cannot be described. However, it is a privilege and joy to watch. They now possess a little pride and self esteem which is a totally new experience to them," said Niamh.

Ms. Brosnan saw first hand the benefits the project is bringing to the children and committed to helping out by sourcing used football boots for the children. And she emphasises an awareness of the times we're going through here: "In times of recession, we are not asking for financial donations, we are just asking for your old boots which can change the life of a 'Street Kid' without costing you money," Niamh urged.

We'll have a record of the response to the consignment in the near future. If you helped in any way you may well feel justified in taking a bow for a job well done.