Bright eyes say, “My shoes.”

It was raining shoes at the ACVV Koeberg today. 285 Pairs of shoes to be precise. The 35 children who attend the ACVV’s Clever Kidz Academy were treated to good-as-new shoes and brand spanking new socks.

The lucky recipient of the golden shoes.

Wearing identical oversized striped t-shirts, the kids appeared at times overwhelmed, and at times game for anything.

A smiling Harry White, CEO of the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, handed over the gift on the last day of Child Protection Week. The shoes and socks were donated by residents of the golf estate, and they filled a room and an alcove. There were kiddie shoes and adult shoes, little golden shoes and school shoes and wellingtons and trainers, and even a pair court shoes that looked suitable for a lady who lunches.

This little boy couldn’t wait to get back to class.

ACVV chairwoman Rina Loubscher explained how much the gift means to the organisation. The Clever Kidz Academy does not get any funding from government. Only some of the children’s parents are able to pay the R50 weekly fee. The Clever Kidz Academy was started with the intention of helping needy children from Melkbosstrand, Wolwerivier and surrounding farms up to Vissershok. She added, “So much is needed to keep this service going.” Need there is, but on this morning it was raining shoes and goodwill on this stretch of the West Coast.