Barefoot Challenge

Mentesnot Mengesha fled Ethiopia as a refugee during the civil war 30 years ago and settled and built a successful life in Newham. His first job was as a Refugee Development Worker for Newham charity The Renewal Programme and he is currently a part-time lecturer in Teachers Education at New City College, Hackney. 

Recently, Mentesnot witnessed a young black boy walking with his father in shoes that were utterly worn-out and falling apart, near a dentist’s surgery in Plaistow. He was shocked and upset to see such a visible sign of poverty on the streets of one of the world’s richest life cities. As the pandemic has continued to highlight the inequalities and challenges that many people in Newham continue to face today, Mentesnot felt challenged to do something.

On 12 June, a number of us will gather in Flanders Field to cheer Mentesnot on and to walk a mile barefoot in solidarity with our Newham neighbours in need.