They might still be very young but their feet are planted firmly on the ground and they know exactly what they stand for. It is also very clear that they are working toward a better future for all.
Chatting to brother and sister, Dario and Liana Gouveia from Meyersdal, is an eye-opener of note. With Dario being in his matric year and Liana now in Grade 10 they have quite a lot of wisdom to share and an inner strength you won’t easily associate with two teenagers.
Born in Fourways, they moved to Meyersdal at an early age and this is where they call home. They both attend Marist Brothers Linmeyer and as they say: ‘We simply love our school – it has shaped who we are today.’
The start of something beautiful
But let’s rewind a couple of years to get to the bottom of the significant change these youngsters have made in many, many lives; leaving a lasting legacy.
Let’s go back to the beginning of Sole2Sole.
‘Sole2Sole started when we were eight and nine years of age, driving down Michelle Avenue and seeing a little boy on the side of the road begging and he was barefoot. I couldn’t understand why. Why did I have shoes and this poor child didn’t? His feet looked so sore,’ said Dario.
‘I told my mom, who then listened and encouraged me to clear out my cupboard and give him some shoes. Thereafter, I asked my friends to assist me in collecting 1000 pairs of shoes, and within two weeks, that was achieved. I soon realised that many people want to assist, and want to do good.
‘I didn’t stop at 1 000. I just couldn’t, and with the help of social media, family, friends and some incredible schools, Sole2Sole has been able to collect over 1,1 million pairs of shoes for those in need. This is all because of how generous people are,’ he explained.
It did not take long for sister Liana to climb on board and they work tirelessly to keep Sole2Sole alive and thriving.
But there are also challenges. Being a teenager, being at school with loads going on, it can’t be easy to keep going.
‘Grade 11 and matric has been challenging. I have a full plate and need assistance. I often ask friends and volunteers to assist me with binding, pairing and packing shoes.
‘Do you know what it looks like to have over 4 000 pairs of shoes in your garage? It is manic and overwhelming, but I understand that it is for good and that’s why I continue. Many hands make light work and I am blessed with people who offer up their precious time to help.’
They also explain the importance of networking to keep Sole2Sole going and admit that social media and networking are what have gotten Sole2Sole to where it currently is.
‘Without people who clear out their cupboards, we wouldn’t have shoes to donate. Sole2 Sole isn’t about a boy and his sister who started it – it is about the thousands of people who donated their shoes or their time to the Sole2Sole cause!’
And when asked whether they ever thought their project would reach the milestone of crossing borders, their answer is: ‘We really did not. I just wanted to give one little boy a pair of shoes! I am so grateful to the universe and God for allowing me the ability to do good.’
To date Sole2Sole has donated just over 1.1 million pairs of shoes.
Future objectives of Sole2Sole
‘It is quite simple. To keep going on, to keep changing lives! The main milestone was to reach one million individuals, and now that that has been achieved, it’s just to keep inspiring and motivating others to do good.’
The two also love assisting the Ligstad and Doxa Deo church with their annual Street Store initiative.
‘It’s a truly special event that hands out over 1 000 pairs of shoes to those who live on the street. We just keep doing what we usually do and every now and then we get the opportunity to do some different distributions.’
Fast forward to today
And if you thought that these two come home, do their homework and count shoes for a living – well, think again.
After a day at school, there come all the extramural activities, and that is quite a handful so to speak.
Both are super involved students who do more than they should but, as they say: ‘If the formula isn’t broken, don’t fix it! We both love every aspect of our school and sports lives that we quite frankly don’t want to change anything,’ they said.
Throughout his schooling career, Dario has always been involved with karate and attained his black belt in Grade 10. He is an avid provincial squash player who represents Central Gauteng annually.
‘Along with those two main sports I play flank for our Marist Tigers rugby team, form part of the school’s public speaking team, I swim, do archery, co-workers, athletics, and on the cultural side of things I play the drums,’ he said with a smile.
Liana achieved her junior black belt last year in Grade Nine and is also a provincial squash player. You will also see her out on the netball courts. She swims, does cross-country, athletics, co-workers, archery, public speaking, and forms part of the Marimba band and music groups at school.
Liana is also an avid piano player, who uses her talent to give back to their church, St Theresa’s, on Saturday evenings.
Home is where the heart is
Looking at their schedules one can only wonder how they cope and where do they hang out when they get the time to relax – more so, how do they relax?
‘We love being home! We spend loads of time at school and out at sporting events, that the best place we love to be, is at home, which is scarce!’
But just how do they balance school, extramural activities, Sole2Sole and social life?
They smile and agree: ‘This is a struggle, but they always say, if you want something done, ask a busy person. We just get it done! We do loads of juggling of time schedules and prepping, but we make time for things that are important to us.’
And when the family takes a break down to Jeffries Bay, that is where Dario goes out to collect driftwood. ‘I love carving, when going away to Jeffries over the holidays (my favourite place so by the way!). I always collect driftwood and use it to carve random pieces of art. That relaxes me.’
Liana, believe it or not, opened her own little sideline beading business on top of everything else. ‘But,’ she says, ‘I’m quite arty and love doing arts and crafts. I often spend my time creating beautiful bracelets or key rings for my little business. I also just enjoy Jeffries Bay, spending time with my cousins and family and watching girly movies.’
Asked about their fondest childhood memories Dario says: ‘My favourite memory is how myself and Liana used to take our mattresses up to our parent’s room and camp out in their bedroom, watching movies, and eating snacks.’
‘My favourite memory is the day our dad surprised us with a Mother’s Day gift for mom – our Boston terrier puppy, Domino,’ said Liana.
Into the future
Being two driven individuals, one can’t help but ask what drives them and what they think the future holds.
‘Our family drives us. Without the support of our parents and our friends, we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we have. Seeing truly how much a pair of shoes can impact someone’s life is enough drive to keep on doing what we do.’
And for the youth out there, what do the two of them think the role of the youth can be in creating a better tomorrow?
‘Age is just a number. All you need is for a parent or adult to listen to what ideas your children might have. Children see through very different eyes, and we were lucky enough to have our parents who listened and gave us the wheels we needed to make Sole2Sole possible,’ Dario said.
‘Our youth have so much potential to make a change for our future. The future is ours,’ added Liana.
And their message to mobilise the youth into action to build a better future is clear: ‘Don’t doubt yourself. If you can see the vision – act on it now. Take action. You won’t be sorry.’
- Follow them on social media: Facebook: Sole2Sole and Instagram: sole2soledario
Don’t doubt yourself. If you can see the vision – act on it now. Take action. You won’t be sorry.
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: SUPPLIED
