COCO, a UK-based nonprofit that focuses on providing quality education for kids in poor and marginalized communities, discovered The Shoe That Grows on social media in February 2023. 

“Recognizing the incredible impact these shoes could have for COCO’s partner schools, [we] reached out to Because International to discuss a potential partnership,” shared Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer (MEAL Officer) Officer Rebecca Brett. “And as they say, the rest is history!”

After speaking with COCO and learning more about its community-led initiatives and schools in need of shoes for students, Because launched a campaign for Shoe The World Day with a goal of raising support for 500 pairs. 

In one week, Because International’s supporters donated enough to provide 750 students with pairs of The Shoe That Grows, which COCO distributed to four of its community-owned and operated schools in Kenya. 

We asked Rebecca and COCO’s Fundraising and Marketing Officer Luccy Liddle to tell our supporters more about COCO. 

WHAT IS COCO’S MISSION? 

COCO is a UK-registered charity with the mission of providing sustainable sources of quality education for children living in poor and marginalized communities. We understand that to create brighter futures for children in East Africa, we must listen to, learn from, and implement sustainable solutions designed in partnership with local organizations in response to needs identified by intended beneficiaries. 

As such, COCO works with local partners to deliver small, community-led initiatives under the umbrella of our Schools for Life, Sustainable Agriculture Training and Small Loans programs. We especially focus on supporting more vulnerable groups including women, girls and orphans in hard-to-reach areas; helping marginalized groups to sustainably break the cycle of poverty; and empowering individuals to provide an income for themselves, their families, and their communities.

HOW DO THE SCHOOLS FOR LIFE WORK? 

Schools for Life are community-led, community-run schools which are made up of six core elements.

1. Shelter: Ensuring that students have safe places to sleep and study.
2. Power: Installing solar panels to power lights and digital devices.
3. Water and Sanitation: Ensuring that students have access to safe, clean water for drinking, cleaning and cooking, and hygienic toilets to use.
4. Food: Helping schools grow food which is used within their feeding programmes to ensure students receive at least one healthy, nutritious meal a day.
5. Sports and Recreation: Ensuring that students have the time and space to play and engage in sports.
6. Entrepreneurship: Helping students to develop practical skills in trades such as farming to help them when they begin looking for jobs after they leave school.

Together with qualified teachers, this holistic model helps to ensure that children are able to access education which meets their needs within and beyond the classroom.

HOW WILL KIDS ATTENDING THE SCHOOLS FOR LIFE BENEFIT FROM THE SHOE THAT GROWS? 

Many of the children enrolled at the schools we support in Kenya walk long distances to access quality education. In fact, some students walk upwards of 12 km every day just to get to school, and some have to navigate crossing rivers, rocky paths and busy roads barefoot. Not having shoes can also be a challenge once the students reach school as it can limit their participation in activities such as football, as well as increasing the risk of them hurting themselves or contracting diseases such as jiggers.

We believe that education provides the best opportunity for children to break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. But the holistic provision offered by each school goes beyond the provision of education by helping to make sure that each student is happy and healthy, and the shoes provided by Because International will go a long way towards breaking down some of the barriers which prevent students from being able to come to school.

HOW DID STUDENTS REACT TO THE SHOE THAT GROWS? 

The Head Teacher of Maasai Academy said, “on behalf of Maasai Academy, I want to thank Because International for the gift of shoes you have given the children of Maasai Academy... as the Head Teacher, I see many children coming to school without shoes, so these shoes will help them and make it easier for them to come to school. Thank you!”

One of the students also wanted to share their thoughts; “My name is Muni. I like the shoes because when I am walking, it feels nice, and they feel very comfortable. Thank you to Because International for giving us these shoes”

HOW TO PARTNER TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THE SHOE THAT GROWS 

Because International partners with many groups and individuals to distribute The Shoe That Grows to communities facing poverty or crisis around the world. If you are interested in partnering to distribute through your organization or support distributions through organizations like COCO Charity, complete the form below.