Scorpion Bite Prevention in El-Afadra

Yay, I won a PLUM Grant! Now that my project has a future again, its time for a . . . Project Update!

DO IT
Execution. The long process began when I asked three schools in my local area for permission to collect gently-used children’s shoes from their students. Once I did, I had collected about 500 pairs in about three weeks. The next step was organizing the shoes in terms of size, in order to make the distribution process easier in the future. Next, I encountered a problem - shipping. The shoes I had collected filled about 8 suitcases but airline rules only allowed me and my parents to bring over 6 suitcases. So after hours of searching for help, I met the American Egyptian Consulate General. He liked my project and agreed to help fund the extra shipping, so I was able to send over all 8 suitcases (and another 6 carry-ons!). The actual distribution process was slightly disorganized, because of all of the commotion that took place when the villagers of Al-Afadra learned that free shoes were being given out. Still, all of the shoes were distributed and the children of Al-Afadra are now more protected against scorpion bites - so I consider my project a success.

REFLECT
-One of the major highlights of my project was meeting the American Egyptian Consulate General. He helped finance the extra shipping costs of bringing shoes over to Egypt with me.
-Another highlight of my project was receiving about ten pairs of band new shoes form a mother at one of the schools I collected from. She had gone out and PURCHASED ten pairs of NEW shoes for my project, when I was really only asking for used ones. She made me realize that I am not the only one who was behind my cause.
-The biggest highlight of my project was of course distributing the shoes to the children in Al Afadra. They were so excited to receive their shoes that most of them did not even put them on after receiving them, and instead carried them home - so as to keep them nice and new. The kids were very friendly.

-If I could do some things differently in my project I would probably have devised a better system to distribute shoes. Although things worked out okay in the end, things were rather hectic during the actual distribution, and I felt almost overwhelmed.
-Another thing I may do differently if I continue my project is take more photos and videos. I did have some things to remember my trip by, but I wish I had more.
- Lastly, if I could do it all again, I would just try to make my project even bigger - involve more people, bring more shoes, and simply upscale the entire deal.

-I changed my community by making a poor village half-way across the world safer. The whole reason I gave out shoes was to protect children from fatal scorpion bites, and shoes are great protection from any accidental stepping-on of scorpions.
- The number of people that participated in my project is hard to recall, but the different parties involved were me, my parents, the students at the elementary schools and their parents, the office of the Consulate General, and probably a few other people too. The people affected were the students, of course. The were affected because they were less vulnerable to a scorpion bite with their new shoes.
-My initial plans did not exactly compensate for what actually transpired when I got my project going. I did not now that the extra shipping costs of sending over shoes would be about $500 dollars, but thankfully I had help. Also, I did not know the distribution process would be so hectic, but things worked out anyway.
- I know that my project was successful because the children were very grateful to get their shoes. I believe I have made their living environment safer, because now there is a lesser chance that they will be victim to a scorpion bite. Because I know how successful the first phase of my project was, I intend to continue it.