Changing Lives With Shoes Not Walls

By Jon Henes

A pair of shoes can change the course of a child’s life.

Why do people leave their countries to enter the United States? The answer is simple. They want a better life for themselves and their children. How do we stem the tide of illegal immigration? Not with walls but by giving people in poor conditions hope, help, and opportunity. We help make their countries better places to live and rear their families. We don’t need to spend billions of dollars to build a wall; we can stem the tide of illegal immigration with a pair of $5 shoes. Yes, shoes.

While one example doesn’t make a rule, it may still provide a powerful lesson. The lesson I learned occurred in Honduras – a beautiful country of beaches, mountains, hot springs, ancient ruins, and warm, welcoming people but also a nation of extreme poverty, crime and, in many areas, a crumbling infrastructure. This description fails to highlight the true human condition. Honduras, like all countries, is made up of families and communities; of good people wanting to live good lives; of mothers and fathers who love their children with every ounce of their hearts and souls. Parents will do anything and everything to make their children’s lives better and brighter. And this brings me to the example of Walter, who is eight, and his mom, and the lesson I learned.

Walter was born in Honduras and went to the Adrian Mejia school. The Adrian Mejia school consisted of one room, one bathroom, and a 4x4 area for children to play. The room was concrete all around with one small, narrow opening near the ceiling for it to breathe. This concrete room was akin to a brick oven as the heat in Honduras can be overwhelming and suffocating. There was no water or ventilation, and the few desks and chairs were worn down. This small, concrete room was school for 200 children who came together each day to try to get an education from a deeply caring and dedicated teacher.

Walter faced an additional dilemma: he didn’t have shoes. Walter’s mom couldn’t afford them. Walter went to school barefoot each day, walking from his home to the school room over rocky dirt roads, passing by stray dogs, pigs, and cows roaming freely. Walter, in his bare feet, had to pay close attention as cars and pickup trucks would bounce over the narrow roads, kicking up dust while trying to navigate the divots, rocks, and livestock. Worst of all, some of the children made fun of Walter for not having shoes – as children are apt to do – making Walter miserable. He cried. He didn’t want to go to school. He was barefoot. Walter’s mom was heartbroken.

Walter’s mom needed to do something, but what could she do? She had scant financial resources and the opportunities in Honduras for poor people are extremely limited, if not non-existent. Walter’s mom decided to leave Honduras and come to the United States – illegally. Walter’s mom is not a criminal; Walter’s mom is a loving mother who wants the best for her son. Walter’s mom is no different from any parent.

As Walter’s mom was planning her move to the United States, she heard that the Foundation for Education in Honduras (FEIH) was going to build a new school for the Adrian Mejia community. Walter’s mom didn’t know exactly what that meant, as people didn’t come to her community to help and build. Walter’s mom soon witnessed the construction beginning and saw many new faces – smiling, determined, kind faces – in her community with gray tee shirts and white and blue hats with the FEIH logo on them. With the construction, adults from the community obtained much needed jobs building the school, and meals were provided to the community. Still, Walter’s mom proceeded with her plans to move to the United States.

Prior to embarking, the school was completed. There was a buzz in the community as it began preparing for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The community was excited and full of hope. The morning of the ribbon cutting ceremony, a FEIH delegation arrived, led by my co-founder and the heart of FEIH, Ramiro Ocasio. Ramiro and the rest of the delegation spent time with the children and received a tour of the new school. The old concrete school room was replaced by seven brand new classrooms, chairs and desks made by local artisans, fans, ventilation, blackboards, world maps, filtered water, and a playground. The ribbon cutting ceremony began and, at the end, Ramiro and the FEIH volunteers handed out backpacks (made in Honduras) with school supplies, new uniforms and shoes! Handmade Honduran shoes. Walter, for the first time in his life, had shoes!

So, what happened to Walter and his mom? On Honduras Independence Day in 2017, Ramiro’s social media and email lit up like a Christmas tree. “What was happening?” Ramiro thought to himself. On Independence Day, the children of Honduras dress up in costumes for a special celebration. As Ramiro started scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and his email, he saw all of these pictures of a young boy dressed up as the President of FEIH. It was Walter. Walter was dressed up as Ramiro Ocasio. His hero. He was dressed up as the type of person he wanted to be when he grew up.

During Ramiro’s next trip to Honduras, he visited Walter and his mom. “Why did Walter dress up as me?” Ramiro asked Walter’s mom. “He wants to be like you; someone who helps other people,” Walter’s mom answered. Then Walter’s mom told Ramiro her story; Walter’s story. The story ended differently than she had envisioned. Rather than heading to the United States, Walter and his mom stayed in Honduras. Walter’s mom explained that Walter now has a safe place to go to school; a place he can learn, play, and grow. Walter’s mom found hope in the new school; Walter’s mom found hope in the community coming together; Walter’s mom found a foundation for Walter to build on and to grow up to be a person who helps others. But, most importantly, Walter and his mom stayed, because Walter got his shoes.

Jon Henes is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and a co-founder of the Foundation for Education in Honduras.