Freelance Contributor
When Nathan Durgasingh received a pair of Gucci slides for his 15th birthday, they were the only gift he got that year. His friend Rhys Thompson surprised him with them during a visit to South East Port-of-Spain Secondary, where his mother worked in the school cafeteria. He was a familiar face, often stopping by on his free days to lend a hand. The two quickly bonded over music, especially drumming. Growing up in Laventille, Nathan had little access to brand-name items, and that act of kindness changed his life.
“When he gave me those slides, it meant a lot. He would regularly pass on sneakers he no longer used. That felt really good,” he recalls.
Moved by the recent story of a secondary school student being bullied for his shoes, Nathan knew he had to turn that empathy into action. As the founder of The Shoe Laundry, a business he established in 2019 restoring old or damaged sneakers, he launched a sneaker drive to help those in need, especially those struggling silently. Within 24 hours of posting about the initiative on social media, more than 20 pairs were donated. At the time of writing, that number had climbed to 60, with artistes and influencers reaching out to support the cause.
“Community is extremely important because we need more of it in our country right now,” he tells Guardian Media. “From my travels, Trinidad still holds strong core values like looking out for neighbours and treating others like family. That’s something I want to help preserve.”
Nathan is calling for “mildly worn” donations—sneakers still good enough to pass on, not ones destined for the bin. “They can be dirty, but not deteriorating,” he notes. “They should be in a condition that can last at least another one to two years.”
The process to help is simple. People can drop them off at The Shoe Laundry in St Augustine or Chimichanga Mexican Grill in San Fernando. He then sorts the sneakers by size to match recipients, from toddlers to adults, after determining what can be cleaned and restored. A designated day for distribution will be announced soon.
“When I reflect on how many other young people might be going through similar experiences, it pushed me to think beyond helping just one individual,” he says.
The 24-year-old has had a business mindset since childhood. He sold marbles and stones from his backyard so often that his parents were called into school. He even learned to make his mother’s signature beef pies to sell to classmates at South East.
The Shoe Laundry grew from that desire to provide a service. His friends were always surprised at how pristine he kept his footwear, and one day he offered to clean their sneakers as well. As demand grew, some offered to pay.
“Growing up with only the essentials, I learned to take care of what I had. Seeing people’s response to the convenience of having their sneakers professionally cleaned made me realise this could be a real business,” he shares.
He later reached out to businesses abroad for guidance and started working from home using only a table and basic tools.
“My parents were very supportive, especially my dad, even though there were times when shoes would be all over the house because of the workload.”
His friend Rhys, now a successful travelling musician, drumming for heavyweights like Machel Montano and Full Blown, also played a major role.
“He helped me see sneakers differently—not just as something to own, but as a form of artistic expression through style and how you put outfits together. I don’t think he fully realises how much of an impact he had.”
Nathan has expanded into specialised cleaning kits so others can maintain their footwear themselves. However, his personal philosophy on ownership has changed since his school days. He owns about 10 pairs of sneakers, his favourite being Travis Scott Jordan 1s.
“I’ve learnt to prioritise my needs and focus on what I have, rather than just acquiring more. It’s about appreciation, not just accumulation.”
Next, he is planning a back-to-school drive in August, teaming up with peers to offer services like barbering, helping students return to school with confidence.
Everything he does is guided by his Christian values.
“My faith is very important to the way I live and run my business. It encourages me to do everything to the best of my ability and with integrity,” he asserts. “Based on God’s word, we are called to love others as ourselves—and that’s something I try to live out daily.”
And maybe it starts with something small, like sneakers. Check under your bed, in the back of your closet, your backyard, or wherever your old kicks have ended up. If they are still wearable, give them a chance to make a difference in someone else’s life.
