THEY say you can’t understand someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes, but what if that person has never owned a pair?

Caroline Odong didn’t wear her first pair of shoes until she was five.

She grew up in a mud hut in Gulu, a rural village in Uganda where walking miles barefoot to fetch water was part of everyday life.

It wasn’t until she fled the war-torn country to London that she owned her first ever pair of cherished red-laced shoes.

Now, 25 years later, the Southampton student is preparing to take off her shoes and bare her soul in more ways than one for a fundraising walk close to her heart.

Caroline, 29, who studies writing, fashion and culture at Southampton Solent University, will be joined by dozens of her friends and family members in a barefooted walk in London.

‘Go Bare’ will raise awareness of the fact many people in Uganda are so poverty stricken they don’t wear their first pair of shoes until they are as old as 17.

All money raised will go to the charity, Warchild, which helps children living in poverty by offering education, housing and foster care. It is a cause close to Caroline’s heart.

She said: “We were forced to leave Uganda due to the war concerning the overthrow of the government which continued to the north, where I’m from. It became unsafe and we left.

"My father’s family were quite well off and he was an accountant and moved us over to the UK. He has proved that if you work hard and keep positive, you can get out of a situation.

Caroline, who has 300 relatives, said it wasn’t until she came to the UK she realised just how basic her living conditions were and even how old she was.

Daily Echo:

“When I look back it was amazing really. It was the first time I found out how old I was. In Uganda you weren’t brought up to know, you didn’t celebrate birthdays, it was all about being together all year round.

“Getting the plane for the first time, seeing the big buildings in London, getting my first pair of shoes in Clarks, it was all so strange. My feet were used to being free and suddenly felt constrained.”

Caroline explained she is still in touch with her friends and family in Uganda, which inspired her to do something to make a difference.

“You say you can’t understand until you walk in someone’s shoes but not everyone has shoes and most people aren’t aware kids are living in such poverty they can’t often afford them.

"It is like those people are forgotten and I am doing this for the forgotten people and to reconnect me with my roots.

“I really can’t wait for the event. It’s a bit nerve-wracking but I am going to just go for it.

“It is funny I’m really into shoes now but I still can’t get into stilettos. It’s chunky ankle boots all the way!”