As he took his shoes off, my stomach lurched a little, making me grateful that I’d skipped breakfast. His feet were swollen and in some areas, infected. I tried to act nonchalant but I wasn’t quite sure how to approach these feet – washing feet (besides my own, of course) isn’t something I regularly do.
As I washed Muhle’s feet, I looked at his discarded shoes lying next to him on the floor. The black imitation suede shoes had been stretched much further than the manufacturers had ever intended (I’m sure), and not much of the soles remained. Yet for Muhle, these shoes were important. They offered him some protection from the cold – especially at night, sleeping outside in the park where he lives. They also kept his feet safe from glass and other things that might pierce his feet – causing a wound that would in all likelihood go untreated.
Ironically, the importance of the shoes, in Muhle’s eyes, had caused his feet to deteriorate to the state which they were in. He explained that he had not taken his shoes off – ever – for fear of them getting stolen. Nothing is yours for keeping when you live on the street.
The worn-out shoes were replaced with a brand new pair of canvas shoes. Muhle’s feet were so out of shape that it was decided that hand-me-downs (which is what the others received) wouldn’t be ideal. Although having his feet washed and getting new shoes is not going to reverse the predicament in which Muhle finds himself, I hope that he feels acknowledged, reminded of his worth and perhaps even loved.
* I met Muhle and others at “Brunch in the Park”, a gathering organised by Nigel and Trish Branken, and others who are part of the NGO, Transform. Brunch in the Park aims to share skills with, and provide services for whoever comes to the park on the day in the hope that this facilitates real relationships between the people of Jozi. If you’d like to know more and get involved, visit the Transform Facebook page. If you have shoes (especially men’s shoes) you’d like to donate for the next Brunch in the Park, please drop me a message.
As I washed Muhle’s feet, I looked at his discarded shoes lying next to him on the floor. The black imitation suede shoes had been stretched much further than the manufacturers had ever intended (I’m sure), and not much of the soles remained. Yet for Muhle, these shoes were important. They offered him some protection from the cold – especially at night, sleeping outside in the park where he lives. They also kept his feet safe from glass and other things that might pierce his feet – causing a wound that would in all likelihood go untreated.
Ironically, the importance of the shoes, in Muhle’s eyes, had caused his feet to deteriorate to the state which they were in. He explained that he had not taken his shoes off – ever – for fear of them getting stolen. Nothing is yours for keeping when you live on the street.
The worn-out shoes were replaced with a brand new pair of canvas shoes. Muhle’s feet were so out of shape that it was decided that hand-me-downs (which is what the others received) wouldn’t be ideal. Although having his feet washed and getting new shoes is not going to reverse the predicament in which Muhle finds himself, I hope that he feels acknowledged, reminded of his worth and perhaps even loved.
* I met Muhle and others at “Brunch in the Park”, a gathering organised by Nigel and Trish Branken, and others who are part of the NGO, Transform. Brunch in the Park aims to share skills with, and provide services for whoever comes to the park on the day in the hope that this facilitates real relationships between the people of Jozi. If you’d like to know more and get involved, visit the Transform Facebook page. If you have shoes (especially men’s shoes) you’d like to donate for the next Brunch in the Park, please drop me a message.