Sikombingo SDA Primary School · Est. 1923 · Lower Gwelo, Zimbabwe
Every Child Deserves to Walk with Dignity
The Mahlahleni School Shoes Campaign collects school shoes for the children of Sikombingo Primary School — honouring a Chief's legacy and restoring confidence, one pair at a time.
1923
School Est.
40km
from Gweru City
100%
Community-driven
∞
Lives to Change
Our Mission
A Pair of Shoes is a Foundation for a Future
The Mahlahleni School Shoes Campaign is a grassroots initiative dedicated to providing school shoes to the children of Sikombingo SDA Primary School in the Lower Gwelo region of Zimbabwe's Midlands Province.
For many children in rural Zimbabwe, walking barefoot to school is a painful reality that not only poses physical risks but also severely impacts their self-esteem and educational experience. By supplying these children with proper footwear, we aim to restore their confidence, protect their health, and empower them to focus on their education.
Protect children from injury and soil-borne illness
Improve school attendance and academic performance
Restore dignity and confidence in the classroom
Est. 1923
Sikombingo, Lower Gwelo, Zimbabwe
The Challenge
The Hidden Cost of Bare Feet
"These are the shoes children wore to school every day."
"Old shoes beside new — the transformation in a single image."
Health & Safety Risks
Walking barefoot exposes children to cuts, thorns, and infections. It also leaves them vulnerable to soil-transmitted parasites that cause illness and absenteeism.
Psychological Impact
Children without shoes often suffer from low self-esteem and lack confidence in the classroom, feeling marginalized compared to their peers. Confidence improves dramatically when a child receives a pair of shoes.
Educational Barriers
Physical discomfort and the psychological burden of feeling inadequate distract children from their studies. School attendance and academic performance both improve when children have proper footwear.
"I walked to Sikombingo Primary School barefoot every single day. The red earth was scorching in summer and bitterly cold in winter, but it was not the physical pain that hurt the most. It was the shame. I would sit in class painfully aware of my bare feet, unable to raise my hand, unable to look my teachers in the eye. While other children answered questions freely, I shrank into my chair — convinced that I did not belong. Not having shoes told me, every day, that I was less than. That feeling of invisibility followed me through every lesson. No child should have to carry that weight into a classroom."
The Beneficiaries
The Children of Sikombingo
Sikombingo SDA Primary School, established in 1923, is a vibrant community school in the Lower Gwelo communal settlement, approximately 40 km northwest of Gweru. Despite the fertile soils and agricultural activity in the region, economic challenges persist, making basic school supplies a luxury for many families.
Chief Mahlahleni — Southern Rhodesia Identity Card, Act No. 27 of 1957
The Inspiration
Chief Mahlahleni's Legacy
This campaign is named in honour of Grandfather Mahlahleni, a respected traditional Chief of the Lower Gwelo area. Traditional leaders in Zimbabwe play a vital role in guiding and protecting their communities, and Chief Mahlahleni's life was defined by his commitment to the well-being of his people.
The founder of this campaign is a former student of Sikombingo Primary School who personally experienced the hardship of attending school barefoot. The lack of shoes was not just a physical discomfort — it was a barrier to confidence and a constant reminder of hardship.
This initiative was born from a desire to ensure that the current generation of students at Sikombingo Primary School does not have to endure the same struggles, honouring Chief Mahlahleni's spirit of upliftment and community care.
The First Batch
From the UK to Zimbabwe — With Love
The inaugural batch of approximately 200 pairs of school shoes was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of two communities: former classmates who shared the same dusty paths to school, and colleagues at Nando's UKI who answered the call without hesitation.
Boxes and bags packed, labelled "Shoes Option", and carried through O.R. Tambo International Airport — each pair representing a donor's belief that every child deserves to walk to school with dignity.
Former Classmates
Alumni who once walked the same red-earth paths of Sikombingo gave back to the next generation.
Nando's UKI
Work colleagues at Nando's UK & Ireland rallied together, proving that compassion crosses every border.
In Pictures
The Inaugural Donation
These photographs were taken during the first-ever Mahlahleni Campaign donation at Sikombingo SDA Primary School. Every image tells the story of why this campaign exists.
Shoes presented to school leadership under the Zimbabwean flag
Fitting a child's new shoes — a moment of dignity restored
Students gathered around the donated shoes at the ceremony
The worn shoes left behind — a symbol of what was endured
Old shoes beside new — the transformation in a single image
Click any photo to enlarge
Support the Campaign
Fundraising for
Every Pair Counts
A member of the North Manchester Nando's team has gone above and beyond, running a personal fundraising drive to support the Mahlahleni School Shoes Campaign. Their dedication is a shining example of what community spirit looks like in action.
You can support the campaign directly through our GoFundMe page. Every £6 donated puts one pair of school shoes on a child's feet — restoring their confidence and giving them the foundation they deserve to learn.
= 1 pair of school shoes
Every contribution makes a direct difference
North Manchester
Nando's Team
Get Involved
How You Can Help
The success of the Mahlahleni School Shoes Campaign relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community organisations. There are several ways to contribute.
Donate Shoes
Donate new or gently used black school shoes in various sizes for primary school-aged children.
Financial Contribution
Provide monetary donations to purchase new shoes in bulk directly from local or regional suppliers.
Corporate Sponsorship
Businesses can sponsor a specific number of students or provide logistical support for transporting shoes to Zimbabwe.
Spread the Word
Share our campaign within your networks, schools, and workplaces to help us reach our collection goals.
Ready to Make a Difference?
A pair of shoes is more than just footwear — it is a foundation for a child's future. Contact us to arrange your donation or to learn more about the campaign.