It was a day when going barefoot at school was encouraged and – that classrooms around the world were joining the “One Day without Shoes” exercise – helped emphasize the fact that not every child is fortunate enough to have what others take for granted.
The Interact Club of the Peter Gruber International Academy at Montessori School participated in a worldwide awareness exercise Tuesday that brought attention to the fact that children in Third World countries still often go shoeless every day.
You never truly know the plight of a fellow human being until you walk a mile in their shoes or, in this case, a mile without any footwear at all.
“You have to go through a day like this to feel empathy for others,” said 12th-grader Ariel Stolz. “For those less fortunate, it is more than just one day. It could be for an entire lifetime.”
Now in its third year at Montessori and observed globally each year on April 16, Interact members join classmates around the world by participating in special classes and discussion groups, all focusing on bringing global awareness to children’s health and education, with a universal theme that “the more bare feet there are in step together, the bigger the universal footprint.”
One of the obstacles facing children who have no option but to go barefoot is the soil transmitted parasite Hookworm that affects 740 million people worldwide. The disease is responsible for decreased cognitive development, anemia and chronic fatigue.
After school on Tuesday, Montessori teacher and club advisor Elizabeth Elger led 40 students along a mile-long barefoot hike from the Montessori campus to the Red Hook commercial district. 
And while the chosen pathway posed its own challenges, including a late afternoon heated pavement, students persevered in their effort, carrying signs illustrating their cause and sharing smiles with passing drivers along the way.
“This type of experience is humbling,” said volunteer Celia Caroll. “How could you not learn from this?”
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.
A community drive to collect footwear for the less fortunate is being sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise, the parent organization of the Montessori Interact Club, and is scheduled to continue through next week.
New or gently used shoes of all sizes are needed, but especially men’s shoes. All donations may be dropped off at the Montessori School and will be forwarded to the Salvation Army.
