Justine's Post Shoe Drop Reflection: Tired people change the world.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The past five weeks have been a roller coaster for me and Soule. Doing this reflection now is good as it allows me to take some time to slow down and analyze everything that have been happening.
3 years ago Soule was only an idea, today everything is moving so fast, and so many things are happening at the same time. I've come to realize that thinking of the idea only took a few seconds through inspiration, but making it happen takes years of hard work and perspiration. It is a whole different story. I did not expect it to be this hard and tiring.
In January this year we launched our Soule flip flops after spending a week in Malaysia trying to look for a suitable supplier. It was a milestone for us, finally we had a product. However, it took us 9 months, to sell 250 pairs of them. Standing for hours on the booth, carrying the stocks from places to places, explaining our cause over and over again, giving talks from schools to schools, I find myself running everywhere, and hardly had time to catch a breath.
Not until September 26, our first ever shoe drop in Lincang, China. The day we've been waiting for after 3 grueling years. Giving that 309 pairs of shoes is something I will remember for the rest of my life. It's not just about the shoes or me, it's about the children and them having access to education.
The pure joy on their faces just by receiving such a simple pair of school shoes was moving. And the words of gratitude that came out of their mouths nearly brought me to tears so many times. It was such a great experience, but at the same time heart wrenching.Heart wrenching because there are so many more children who we have yet to help, and so many more needs that have yet to be met there. This experience made me leave China, understanding that there is more work to be done. But I'm thankful I went to China because meeting the children also fuelled me with passion and drive to move this forward.
Yes, it is going to be even more tiring, but tired people change the world.
Justine's Post Shoe Drop Reflection: Tired people change the world.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The past five weeks have been a roller coaster for me and Soule. Doing this reflection now is good as it allows me to take some time to slow down and analyze everything that have been happening.
3 years ago Soule was only an idea, today everything is moving so fast, and so many things are happening at the same time. I've come to realize that thinking of the idea only took a few seconds through inspiration, but making it happen takes years of hard work and perspiration. It is a whole different story. I did not expect it to be this hard and tiring.
In January this year we launched our Soule flip flops after spending a week in Malaysia trying to look for a suitable supplier. It was a milestone for us, finally we had a product. However, it took us 9 months, to sell 250 pairs of them. Standing for hours on the booth, carrying the stocks from places to places, explaining our cause over and over again, giving talks from schools to schools, I find myself running everywhere, and hardly had time to catch a breath.
Not until September 26, our first ever shoe drop in Lincang, China. The day we've been waiting for after 3 grueling years. Giving that 309 pairs of shoes is something I will remember for the rest of my life. It's not just about the shoes or me, it's about the children and them having access to education.
The pure joy on their faces just by receiving such a simple pair of school shoes was moving. And the words of gratitude that came out of their mouths nearly brought me to tears so many times. It was such a great experience, but at the same time heart wrenching.Heart wrenching because there are so many more children who we have yet to help, and so many more needs that have yet to be met there. This experience made me leave China, understanding that there is more work to be done. But I'm thankful I went to China because meeting the children also fuelled me with passion and drive to move this forward.
Yes, it is going to be even more tiring, but tired people change the world.
SALES ARE NOW ON! (22 Jan 2010):
Soule Flip Flops are ready for ordering!
Price: SGD$15.90
How to purchase my very own pair of Soule FF?
Soule flip flops are available in Red and Blue
Soule Flip Flops Product Description:
This is our very own exclusive preview product
before our shoes are launched.
We plan to use the proceeds of the flip flops to clothe the feet of the children of a school in China, we will be going there by June this year to do our 1st shoe-drop.
For every pair of flip flops sold, a pair of school-shoes will be given to a child there.
Media Coverage
To read the articles, simply click on the thumbnails to see the full article :)
For PDFs, please click on "Download" button to download it.
Publication: Straits Times, Print Issue: 8 May 2010
Publication: Business Times, Print Issue: 29 March 2010
