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Noida: Sometimes, a simple act of kindness can spark a quiet revolution. That’s exactly what 10-year-old Meher Sikka from Noida has done with her initiative, ‘Kindsoles’, which provides footwear to children living in poverty—many of whom grow up walking barefoot across unsafe and often unforgiving terrain.

The idea for Kindsoles took root in 2023 during a moment that seemed ordinary at first glance. As her house underwent renovation, Meher noticed the children of construction workers running around barefoot in the dirt. It was an image that struck her deeply, especially after a lesson at school had highlighted the health hazards of not wearing shoes indoors.

“I was learning that walking barefoot in unsanitary conditions can lead to parasitic infestations, plantar warts, and even spinal stress, all of which disproportionately affect children growing up in disadvantaged settings. If it’s not safe to walk barefoot at home, how can these kids walk on broken roads or in garbage-filled lanes?” Meher questioned. Troubled by what she saw, she turned to her parents, only to learn that millions of children across India live like this every day—simply because they cannot afford shoes.

For most, this might have been the end of the conversation. But Meher took it as the beginning.

Determined to make a difference, she came up with the idea of distributing footwear to those who needed it most. With the help of her parents and some early supporters, she began researching how to procure shoes, identify beneficiaries, and distribute them. What started as a small family-led effort gradually transformed into Kindsoles, which formally launched in early 2025 through crowdfunding and partnerships.

Since then, the initiative has taken confident steps forward. Kindsoles has distributed shoes across Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and parts of Telangana, with more cities and outreach campaigns planned. The mission, Meher says, goes beyond just utility—it’s about restoring dignity.

“The emotional impact of walking barefoot is as severe as the health impact. Many kids feel ashamed or different when they don’t have shoes. Some stop going to school because of it,” Meher, who herself is a class V student of Gyanshree School Noida, said.

That’s where Kindsoles fills the gap—not with pity, but with purpose. The campaign has reached children from labour camps, domestic worker communities, and informal schools. Meher and her family are also working with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), construction firms, and NGOs to identify children in need.

With the support of social media and volunteers, Kindsoles is slowly becoming a community effort. Its goal is both clear and ambitious: to ensure that no child is left to walk barefoot due to poverty.

From her home in Noida, Meher now balances her schoolwork with growing responsibilities—responding to emails, engaging with volunteers, and attending donation drives.

Her dream? “To take Kindsoles to every part of India. And maybe even outside India someday.”

She adds with quiet confidence: “We can’t fix everything, but even helping one child means we’ve made a difference.”

At just ten, Meher Sikka has become a symbol of how empathy and action—however small—can travel a long way. Sometimes, all it takes to begin a movement is noticing what others ignore and choosing to walk a different path.