Meet the 12-Year-Old Chicago Girl With the Big Heart Sending Shoes to Kids in Ghana

Kerry Koranteng is a 12-year-old who has gotten an early start on her philanthropist career by working with a nonprofit to serve those in need.

The Chicago native was so inspired by a trip to visit her family in Ghana that she started donating tons of shoes to children in the country. Koranteng was just 8 years old when she first visited Ghana and realized so many of the children weren’t wearing any shoes.

“When I even visit my great auntie in the villages, you can see every child, no shoes on, and I realize this is very dangerous,” she told CBS News.

It was last year when Koranteng teamed up with a nonprofit and started sending shoes to Ghana. She works to raise money for the pricey shipping fees and fills her suitcases with pairs of shoes to take with her during her summer and winter break trips to Ghana.

“The teachers there, they tell me the kids who are more in need,” Kerry said. “So I bring them out and give them the shoes first, and then when I am done, I give the shoes to the other students.”

So far, Kerry has sent nearly a thousand pairs of shoes to children in Ghana. She has collected so many shoes her house has become somewhat of a store. “So much boxes stacked up,” Koranteng said.

Her hopes are to inspire others to do the same for those in need.

“If I help others, maybe I can inspire another to do the same,” she said.

Children like 9-year-old Mary Jalisa used to go to school barefoot but are now smiling with joy over their shoes that came from Koranteng’s charitable endeavors.

“No one has given me shoes like that before,” Mary said while showing off her new shoes. “I wear them to school, to church, everywhere.”

Let’s hear it for this girl!