- Walk With Pride has donated shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in Ngoleyo to support their education.
- The organisation says the initiative seeks to restore dignity, improve school attendance and inspire hope among disadvantaged learners.
- Its leaders have appealed for greater community support to expand programmes benefiting vulnerable children across West Pokot County.
What began as a simple distribution of shoes turned into a powerful celebration of hope, dignity and compassion as Walk With Pride, a community welfare organisation, reached out to orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Ngoleyo with a donation that promises to change lives beyond the classroom.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as children lined up to receive brand-new pairs of shoes, many of them smiling from ear to ear as they proudly tried them on for the first time. For children who have spent months walking barefoot or wearing worn-out footwear to school, the donation represented much more than protection for their feet. It was a symbol of love, acceptance and renewed confidence.
The outreach is part of Walk With Pride’s ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable children across West Pokot County. The organisation works to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to essential items such as shoes, clothing, school uniforms, learning materials, school bags, food support and mentorship, enabling them to remain in school and pursue their dreams without being held back by poverty.
Leading the initiative was Director Mike Rotino, alongside Secretary Collins Kamotepon, Treasurer Everlyne Rop and welfare group member Joseph Sarich, all of whom reiterated their commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society.
Leaders call for support for vulnerable children
Addressing parents, community members and the children during the event, Director Mike Rotino said the organisation was inspired by the belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn and succeed regardless of their social or economic background.
“Many people see a pair of shoes as an ordinary item, but to a vulnerable child it can mean the difference between attending school confidently and staying away because of shame or discomfort. Today we are not simply giving out shoes; we are restoring dignity, renewing hope, and telling every child here that they matter. We believe every child deserves to walk with pride and pursue their dreams without barriers created by poverty,” Rotino said.
He noted that the organisation was established after members of the community recognised the growing number of children who were struggling to access basic necessities despite their determination to remain in school.
“Our vision extends beyond today’s event. We want every vulnerable child to have access to quality education, proper clothing, decent footwear, learning materials, mentorship and the encouragement they need to become productive citizens. This mission cannot be accomplished by one organisation alone. We call upon individuals, churches, businesses, professionals and development partners to join hands with us and invest in the future of our children,” he added.
Secretary Collins Kamotepon emphasised that education remains one of the strongest tools for breaking the cycle of poverty and urged the community to rally behind vulnerable learners.
“These children have enormous potential. What many of them lack are opportunities and the basic resources that many people take for granted. By providing shoes and other essential school requirements, we are removing barriers that prevent children from attending school consistently. Every child we support today becomes a stronger hope for tomorrow,” Kamotepon said.
He challenged members of the community to embrace a culture of collective responsibility, noting that protecting and supporting vulnerable children should not be left to a few individuals.
“A caring society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Let us all become ambassadors of hope by extending kindness wherever we can,” he said.
Donors urged to support outreach programme
On her part, Treasurer Everlyne Rop expressed gratitude to donors and volunteers whose generosity enabled the outreach programme to become a reality.
“We sincerely appreciate everyone who has supported this initiative. Your generosity has brought smiles to children who desperately needed encouragement. However, the need remains enormous. There are still many children who require school uniforms, books, food, clothing and other essentials. We appeal to more well-wishers to partner with us because together we can transform many more lives,” she said.
Rop observed that every contribution, regardless of its size, has the potential to change a child’s future by keeping them in school and restoring their confidence.
Joseph Sarich, a member of the welfare group, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of compassion in action.
“Every child deserves to feel valued and loved. The greatest gift we can give vulnerable children is hope. When a child walks into school with confidence, knowing that someone believes in them, they become motivated to work hard and dream bigger. We invite everyone to become part of this journey because changing one child’s life creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire community,” he said.
Parents and guardians who witnessed the exercise praised the organisation for easing the burden many families face in meeting the basic needs of their children. They noted that in many parts of West Pokot, learners walk several kilometres to school every day, making proper footwear an essential requirement for their safety, comfort and consistent attendance.
Community members also commended the volunteers for their dedication and encouraged more organisations and philanthropists to invest in programmes that directly improve children’s welfare and educational opportunities.
As the distribution concluded, the children’s cheerful faces told a story that words could scarcely capture. Their new shoes represented more than leather and rubber—they carried hope, restored dignity, renewed confidence and reminded every child present that they are not forgotten.
For Walk With Pride, the outreach was not the end of a journey but another important milestone in its mission to uplift orphans and vulnerable children across West Pokot County. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its programmes and reaching more children in need through partnerships with communities, donors, faith-based institutions, corporate organisations and other stakeholders.
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Its message to the public was simple yet profound: every child deserves an opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their dreams. With compassion, unity and shared responsibility, the leaders believe that a brighter future is possible—one where every orphan and vulnerable child can truly walk with pride.
By Hillary Muhalya
