By: Amelia Landers, Editor
The closet of the average American teen is filled with clothing and shoes. Shoes for every occasion – shoes for sports, shoes for play, shoes for school, shoes for dressing up, and more. Shoes are selected to accessorize every outfit change and to coordinate with each activity. On any typical day an American teenager will change shoes at least twice between breakfast and bedtime. It would be fair to say that most high school students take shoes for granted and know that when one pair is lost or damaged, there will always be a replacement pair easily available.
In developing countries around the world, most children grow up barefoot. Regardless of the weather or other physical conditions of their homes, they do not know the difference that wearing shoes can make in the quality of their lives. While walking on the beach this way might be the only totally acceptable way to refrain from shoes for the average Oak Grove student, it is a way of life for these children whether at home, at school, or anywhere else. These children are constantly at risk because of their lack of footwear. In populations where children are not provided shoes they assume that shoes are not necessary for their health.
When faced with the plight of domestic poverty, the first thought is usually on the lack of food and shelter. Shoes are also fundamental. Without shoes life is hard. These children are constantly aware of the ground in front of them. They suffer regular cuts and scrapes that often result in infection. Without shoes, people are much more susceptible to heat and cold. They must often walk miles to school, to find clean water, and to seek medical help. Some schools do not allow students to attend without shoes. TOMS reports that approximately one million people in Ethiopia suffer from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil. This disease is 100% preventable by wearing shoes and receiving basic foot hygiene.
The problem of life without shoes is huge. It results in both physical and emotional distress as children are denied the privilege of attending school in addition to suffering the pain associated with disease and injury caused by going barefoot. The solution is very simple – wear shoes and practice basic hygiene. TOMS Shoes is dedicated to raising the awareness of this plight and contributing to the solution by providing shoes to children who don’t have them. The founding principle of the TOMS organization is that all people deserve to have their physical needs met.
TOMS was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie in Venice, California. The idea for the One for One movement that TOMS embraces came from the plight Mycoskie witnessed among children in Argentina who did not have shoes. The company’s promise is that for each pair of shoes purchased, a pair will be given to a child in need. These shoes are hand-delivered to children by the TOMS staff and a host of volunteers. TOMS holds special events throughout the year to encourage conscious capitalism where customers are not only consumers, but also heroes for the children who benefit from this giving.
On April 8th, TOMS will be hosting One Day Without Shoes. This event is designed to bring attention to the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child’s life. People everywhere are encouraged to go all day, part of the day, or even just a few minutes barefoot, to help spread awareness and offer a first-hand opportunity to experience a life without shoes. As the schools, homes and businesses of our world unite to remember the plight of many, TOMS will be available to help address this problem with their continued commitment to put shoes on every child.
