I started my Shoe Project in 2006.

I support the orphaned children of the Samuel Orphanage in Suriname. To do this, I launched a Shoe Project. With part of the proceeds from the sale of my paintings, I fulfil the heartfelt wishes of the children. Their wish was to one day receive a pair of brand-new shoes of their own choosing from a store—something they had never experienced before. In October 2006, I made that wish come true by donating shoes to the children. It was a joyful celebration. When the bus arrived at the store, it was filled with 33 incredibly happy children.

Later, a few of the youngest girls cried on their first day of school because they didn’t want to wear their new shoes—they were afraid their beautiful new shoes would get damaged or dirty.

With this project, I create moments of joy for the children of the Samuel Orphanage.

Through this gesture, I want the children to feel that they, too, are special. In this way, I contribute in my own way to society. As long as it is possible for me, and as long as there are supporters who appreciate my work, I will certainly continue with my Shoe Project and keep creating moments of happiness for these children. I try to assist the orphanage wherever I can, depending on their needs and requests. These often include school uniforms, everyday clothing, shoes, school supplies, and for the older children, the wish to visit a hairdresser for Christmas or other special occasions.

I recently contacted Nesta Trimoredjo, the director of the Maria Hoeve Children’s Home. I would also like to support this home with the proceeds from the sale of my artworks, and I hope this will be possible.

I do this entirely voluntarily and on my own—I am not an organization. I do it because I enjoy it, and it allows me to contribute to society in my own meaningful way. I maintain direct contact with the orphanage directors and want to know exactly how the funds are spent. Nothing goes toward administrative costs, and I always request photos of the items purchased.

I experience great joy in creating my artwork, but I enjoy it even more when I can make the wishes of orphaned children come true through the proceeds of my creativity. It gives me tremendous energy.

Tineke took the girls to the hairdresser — such beautiful hairstyles, a true moment of pampering.

Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. What a delightful treat for those little feet.

It was another successful year. Once again, I was able to bring joy to the children of the Samuel Home with new outfits and shoes.

After successful exhibitions, I achieved my goal once more and made the children of the Samuel Orphanage happy with new outfits and shoes. Here, they are doing a little dance as a special thank-you for their beautiful gifts.

In the photo, they proudly show off their lovely outfits with happy faces. Even the older girls were thoroughly pampered at the

hairdresser and you can clearly see the joy on their faces.

Thanks to the support of the various organizations that helped make my Shoe Project a success, there are once again many happy children with big smiles on their faces.

Again I fulfilled the heartfelt wish of 33 orphaned children of Childrenshous Maria Hoeve

“I thought it would be so wonderful to pamper these children and see those happy little faces.”
I didn’t have to think twice — it immediately became my “Little Shoes Project.” With this gesture, I want the children to feel that they, too, are special. “It simply makes me happy.”

Story told by Tineke Glas, the head of the children’s home:

The children went into town in a small bus together with Tineke Glas, the director of the Children’s Home, to buy new shoes. It was truly an experience to watch them choose their shoes in the store! They radiated pure joy and had so much fun — it was a real celebration. In the photos, they proudly show off their new shoes and dance in a circle as a special thank-you.

Most of the children had never worn new shoes before.

One 9-year-old girl said, “I’ve never had such beautiful shoes.” Others felt completely stylish and confident.
Two toddlers, aged 4 and 5, thought the shoes were too beautiful to wear to school. And one little girl of 4 hid her shoes and cried because she was afraid they would get damaged if she wore them to school.

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For more information about my project(s) or if you have any questions, you can email me at: mala.ramcharan26@gmail.com