The 'Shoes for Life' initiative, led by Step30 International Ministries, has long collected old shoes from the public to send to East Africa, aiding locals in protecting their feet and preventing sand flea infestations. Yesterday (19th), Deputy Commissioner of the New Taipei City Environmental Protection Department, Chu Yi-Chun, participated in the launch ceremony of the 10th-anniversary special exhibition by Step30 International Ministries. Chu praised the association's efforts in promoting sustainable resource recycling and humanitarian aid. He also donated the first pair of shoes on behalf of the Environmental Protection Department, hoping the initiative not only transcends borders to help those in need but also promotes the importance of resource recycling and the spirit of cherishing items and possessions.

Deputy Commissioner Chu Yi-Chun stated that the spirit of the 'Shoes for Life' initiative aligns perfectly with the EPD's long-standing 'Happiness Station—Resource Matching Platform.' Established in 2011, the 'Happiness Station' matches second-hand furniture donated by the public with underprivileged families, successfully facilitating over 5,300 matches and finding new homes for more than 35,000 pieces of furniture. The annual 'Christmas Environmental Treasure Hunt' event, the largest charity flea market in the nation, also provides a platform for the reuse of second-hand goods, with a cumulative NT$7.55 million raised from charity sales, all donated to the 'New Taipei Good Day Love Platform' for charitable causes.



Chu further mentioned that many people likely have a few pairs of perfectly functional shoes forgotten in their closets. In keeping with the department's commitment to resource recycling and charity work, it is supporting the 10th-anniversary special exhibition of the 'Shoes for Life' initiative, in collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental Taipei and African students in Taiwan. The public is encouraged to donate 100 pairs of shoes. Each pair of shoes in the exhibition tells a story, symbolizing the transmission of love and the life-saving impact of this initiative.

Yang Yu-Jen, the founder of Step30 International Ministries in Taiwan, explained that in some resource-poor areas of Africa, residents suffer from sand flea infestations due to a lack of footwear, and the best solution is to wear shoes for protection. In 2014, the 'Shoes for Life' project began its cross-regional charity action, starting with shoe collection and extending to resource assistance, community development, and medical aid. Step30 actively collaborates with international organizations, striving to bring life-changing improvements to rural African communities and transform lives in impoverished areas. Over the past decade, 'Shoes for Life' has reached more than 12 African countries, benefiting over 3 million people.



Yang announced that on September 7-8 this year, the 'Shoes for Life. Change Through Action' 10th-anniversary special exhibition will be held at the EXPO Yuanshan Park in Taipei. This exhibition will not include on-site collections. Instead, it will showcase the efforts of 'Shoes for Life' in Africa over the past ten years through displays and physical exhibits. Yang emphasized that this exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to learn about life in rural Africa and the humanitarian work being done there. The public is especially encouraged to visit with their families and participate in the International Sustainability Forum to hear firsthand accounts from humanitarian workers on the path of aid.