Editor, Refer to your story, “Formerly shunned, shoes have now become the in-thing in every school” (Education Times, August 6). True, at this point in time in Rwandan culture (or in Africa in general) of wearing shoes, the biggest beneficiaries from this trend are traders – and of course foreign shoe manufacturers. Perhaps then, for the sake of balance, following so many good talk on the advantages of wearing shoes, an equally needed reportage should be on the “losses” or disadvantages experienced while wearing some types of shoes, and in certain unsuitable ways and circumstances. For instance, what are the many ill-effects of wearing shoes when feet have not been properly washed beforehand? Or wearing shoes designed for different kinds of feet, different body structures, for walking on different surfaces and during different times in the day? François-Xavier Nziyonsenga, Rwanda
