World Cup Challengers!

The Australians sent us some bright yellow T-shirts with the Christadelphian Logo, now proudly worn by the Salima Christadelphian football team in Malawi. – I guess in their minds they are preparing for the world cup, could they on equal terms beat the Aussies if they played them, as they play on a rough stony pitch without shoes or socks and any challenging team would have to be dressed the same, and play with a welded plastic papers ball.

You will have noticed in some photos that Brethren, Sisters and children do not wear shoes - simply because they cannot afford them. Shoes, we understand, have positive health and fitness benefits, eg shield the body from soil-borne diseases and toxic substances, prevent some injuries, protect the joints and even protect against snake bites and other biting creatures.

What would be the practicalities of someone setting up a good quality second-hand shoe bank for sending to Africa in bulk? MH

Above: Malawi football team and elderly members posing for a photograph after playing. The ball, made from plastic papers, heated to bond them together, is handled by the second player on the left of the centre row.

The team in action with Bro Smart as the referee.