One Day Without Shoes? Try Every Day.

For those who truly know me you know that I am a fan of TOMS.  Their #1 fan. 

For those of you who do not know about TOMS, let me help.  TOMS is a for-profit shoe company that gives a pair to a child in need for every pair that is purchased.  Simple.  They have since expanded to include books, clothing, and eyewear, all which give back in some sort of fashion. 

Blake Mycoskie, the TOMS founder, was inspired by a trip to Argentina, where he found extreme poverty, rampant health conditions, barefoot people, and children not attending school. 

The common denominator? 

Lack of shoes. 

Shoes prevent many soil-transmitted diseases and are a requirement to many school uniforms.  Shoes in developing countries cost more money than most families bring in so unfortunately you see many children roaming the dirt roads without any protection for their feet.

Each year TOMS designates a day where they encourage people around the world to go without shoes.  Creatively named, One Day Without Shoes.  Back in the States, I participated in this event to try and gain a very basic understanding of what others go through on a day-to-day basis.  And I thought I understood but I had no idea.

Walking barefoot around a college campus where you may have to walk on hot concrete or uneven terrain is nothing to the conditions of those abroad.  Broken pieces of beer bottles, nails, and used condoms are just some of the things that make up the roads.  Tag along pot holes, sharp rocks, and cars and boda bodas that drive too close to the edge and your feet are in some serious danger.

This year I did not participate in One Day Without Shoes.  I would have loved to see how the locals manage to walk from here to there without something to walk upon but in my mind I had medical saying, “Don’t do it.”

Since being in Uganda, I have encountered one child who was wearing a pair of TOMS that were given to him as a result of someone purchasing their own pair. 

I was estatic.

But then reality hits again and I see children and adults who run around barefoot.  I think of the creepy crawly creatures they walk upon that are making them fall ill.  I think about the children that cannot attend school because of this.  I think about how fortunate I am to have shoes on my feet. 

To learn more, please visit: TOMS and One Day Without Shoes