Footprints of care: Varun Hiremath brings smiles (and shoes) to rural kids in Maharashtra

It was a day of suspense and excitement in the sleepy village of Nitlas, off panvel, Maharashtra. Students of Raigad Zilla Parishad Prathmik School, who otherwise are used to walking in dusty roads without socks or shoes in order to arrive at school, were on the verge of drastic change. You may ask, why? And so was going to turn them around well, the visionary head of the Hiremath Family Foundation, Varun Hiremath.

It was not just a footwear distribution project, but a project of giving dignity to children who never had this privilege. He said that not walking on shoes is not just pain; it makes you feel invisible when he was speaking to students of Raigad Zilla Parishad Prathmik School. Those are shoes that say something about your value and that you are worth something. They will open up a future of opportunities to you.” These were words that went deep into the minds of the children making them feel that they are recognized, appreciated and could even rise to a higher level than they would ever imagine.

Varun shared that walking barefoot to school not only carries dust, but it also makes them feel like they are always being ignored. This pair of new shoes will give them a new identity by building up hope and also encouraging them to strive towards a better future.

Another child, a girl of ten, came walking very slowly, with her new shoes as though they were valuables. She did mean to keep them safe, as she knew these were not just a pair of shoes given to her but rather a symbol of hope and being a new person, one that she could step towards with pride.

Varun Hiremath was a good leader and believed in empowerment by doing action-oriented support. His charity was not just a charity but it aimed at making lasting change. He knew that empowering the rural population with the means to succeed was the way out of poverty. He did much more than merely hand out shoes, however, by also setting up opportunities to receive an education, healthcare and digital literacy so that people were able to make a better future in the world that is quickly evolving.

Varun was a leader in the sense of listening, understanding, and acting out of the heart, not leadership founded on money or rank. He believed in the power of people especially in the rural setting where there was not much to do and that became the success of his foundation.

He was not merely a provider of charity but a real companion on the self-sufficiency road. The joy on the face of the children who were given their new shoes bore witness to the strength of his vision.

Varun and his Hiremath Family Foundation have outdone themselves by empowering rural people in terms of health and education. Today, those who used to be overlooked and lacked opportunities, have now become independent and are living a dignified life. Also, they have upgraded themselves in terms of digital literacy.

This shows that Varun Hiremath believes in action rather than words. No matter how busy he is, he keeps himself updated with the needs of the rural people and accordingly works towards their development. This thinking of Varun not only makes him a responsible person, but has shaped him into a true leader

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