Students, staff and families at Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies and Foreign Languages celebrated the successful conclusion of the first service learning project of the school year on the National Day of Service and Remembrance (September 9).
The project, organized by Physical Education Specialist Nancy Passini and carried out in conjunction with Ozark Water Projects, was a challenge to the Gibbs community to donate 10 pairs of new or gently used shoes per student to help obtain clean drinking water for people in Kenya, South America and Haiti. How does that work? Read on...
The Ozark Water Projects team of Beckham and Karla Allen exports shoes/footwear to distributers in South America, Haiti and Kenya. Shoe resale builds the local developing economy with micro-businesses and affordable shoes for pennies on the dollar or for barter. Affordable shoes/footwear are a life-saving tool as they protect the new owner’s feet from foot abrasions, parasites and mites and help to improve the wearer's overall health. Funds generated from the shoes are then used to purchase well-digging rigs, water filtration systems and other supplies to bring clean drinking water to those in need. This is how shoes are turned into clean drinking water. 
Beckham and Karla Allen challenged the Gibbs students to donate 10 pairs of shoes each. The challenge was accepted, carried out and surpassed! Gibbs donated a "mountain" of new and gently-used shoes, boots and sandals totaling more than 3,300 pairs -- an average of 10.7 pairs per student (see photo at top!). The students and staff celebrated their success at a special gathering with the Ozark Water Projects team. The Allens also announced that a well in Kenya would be named in honor of the students at Gibbs.
Sep 22