Tribute to teahers

In the upbringing and raising of children, parents are undoubtedly too important in shaping the lives of growing minds. Even more crucial in the cycle of socialization are teachers— who consume themselves to light the way for those they lead. While parents are primarily teachers, instructors placed in formal learning structures have an incredibly instrumental in uence in how students perceive and view themselves and their abilities. Teachers lead, counsel, encourage and educate their students towards the right path. Most teachers are role models whether they recognize it or not. Taking on these responsibilities in a deprived community like Otsenkorang requires an incredible dose of empathy and courage and the teachers at Nkwanta Eshiem D/A Basic School embody and exemplify this on all levels. When our team touched down on Otsenkorang soil on May 14, 2025, our mission was clear in our collective minds. We had come to improve the school going lives of the young ones and bolster their con dence for their future. But, our teachers knew more. For many of them who had been teaching in Otsenkorang for a considerable number of years, they had seen rsthand the raw grimness of the challenges some of the schoolchildren face each day of their lives. Some surmount hindrances like crossing streams and rivers, trekking mostly wearing worn out shoes with threadbare soles, for half an hour or an hour just to be in classroom attendance. Many arrive fairly tired and weary from their journeys. These teachers have seen it all. From lateness to truancy to low morale among the students, they still do not relent in their pursuits of raising scholars and exceptional students. It was therefore no surprise that our visit was met with glee and enthusiasm both from teachers, students and community members. For many of the teachers at Nkwanta Eshiem D/A Basic School, they could understand and appreciate the impact that these shoes would have on the young students. Their participation in the distribution was absolutely crucial and they carried it out with pride and humility. Most teachers did attest to incidents of shoelessness among some of the pupils. For those who had not the prescribed footwear, they took to bathroom slippers( otherwise known as ip ops) knowing well they would be penalized for that. And so? They respond by absenting themselves from school for a couple of days until they either have something decent or are tired of staying in the house when Fear Of Missing Out ( FOMO) dawns on them. Most of our participating teachers admitted that Shoes of HOPE bore great signi cance in changing the course of academic activities in their school. While we spread hope, we relieved them of some petty and avoidable problems they faced in the past— for instance, truancy and absenteeism. One teacher, Michael, alluded to a similar shoe distribution that took place 7 years ago. Yet, in retrospect, it wasn't as e ective and life changing as what Samaritan’s Feet accomplished. He added that the feet washing remains his most indelible memory. He was awed by the layer of newness that shoes of HOPE gave to the children’s appearance and mindsets which was visible in the photos taken. To all whose lives are modeled after the purpose of teaching; whether you’re a parent, caregiver, sibling, an academic tutor— know that you are a candle consuming yourself to light the path for those who need it. Your service is crucial in every life howbeit tiny or big. THANK YOU! AYEKOOO! The act of service The recognition of our common humanity The ability to make our lives larger than that which we seek That is why we reach out to all. We are Samaritan’s Feet. Be a part of the movement that is changing lives and spreading God’s message of HOPE.