FootPrints International represents a pivotal point in a journey of volunteering and community service that began in high school. Whether organizing a shoe collection drive as Youth Elder in Church to send to Africa, or school supplies project to support needy families at home or abroad over the years; I adhered to my parents advise to focus on the little things in life that matter. My church family and sports teams donated 500 pairs of lightly used and brand new sneakers. We washed the sneakers and donated them to needy families in Ghana. I had also organized and run a “School Supplies” project to benefit under privilege students served by the Hope House Catholic Charities in Dover (NJ). Over four summers in high school, we solicited from neighbors, friends and church members and we collected bag packs, books, binders, pens, and other school items to provide to 100 students every school year. My “School Supplies” Project was supported by a generous grant from the “Nestle Very Best In Youth Foundation”. These projects have enriched my life in ways I cannot describe. After travelling abroad to Central America and Africa as a Cornell Tradition scholar, I became motivated to form an organization on campus. In December 2009, and May 2011 Cornell Tradition funded my journeys to Central America to work with coffee farmers, and to help run a remote health clinic.
In Jan 2011, the Cornell Tradition project funded my trip with Ali Barger (my room mate at Cornell University ) to Cameroon to donate school supplies to 400 students in two schools in a remote village. It saddened me deeply to see children and adults in developing nations in Central America and Africa walk barefoot over rough terrain to school and farms daily. After sharing my experiences with my friends, we decided to create Cornell FootPrints.
Cornell Footprints grew rapidly, took roots, and brought together like-minded individuals from various backgrounds dedicated to learn, serve and help others improve their lives. Since leaving Cornell, my brother and I decided to create FootPrints International as a 501c charity that will continue our efforts to provide educational supplies, athletic shoes, sports equipment, and recreational resources to underprivileged communities globally.
It has given me great joy and a rewarding feeling that we can educate our peers in our communities about the little we can all do to help underprivileged students achieve their dreams in developing countries. FootPrints International plans to expand its mission by creating more chapters and providing educational supplies to needy students since education is the key to a successful life. As Mother Teresa said “if you cannot help one hundred people, then help just one."
*Amundam Mancho, Co-Founder & President
How FootPrints International Came to Be...
