Zac's story: from receiving to sending shoeboxes

September 10, 2024

When Sakiusa Rokovasa Vakadewatabua, Jr—who goes by Zac—was nine years old, he received his first Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

“Excitement shot me forward to retrieve my very own shoebox gift. Pulling out toys, school supplies, all of these colorful items that kept coming out of my shoebox—I didn’t have these things before! They were all new to me,” shared Zac in a Deuteronomy 6 article.

Zac grew up in Fiji in a family impacted by poverty. Unable to afford traditional toys, Zac was used to playing with sticks and stones instead for fun.

“For the first time in my life, I had real toys like a jump rope and small cars, for which I would diligently recreate racetracks in the mud around my house after rain washed them smooth again,” Zac recalled in the article.

However, while his shoebox brought joy and new experiences, one thing missing that year was a pair of shoes—something Zac now ensures is part of every shoebox he packs as a local church leader in Kansas.

“I recall my struggles with makeshift repairs on my sandals, using nails to mend them, often resulting in discomfort and injuries. Now, serving as the children and youth director in our local church, I understand the importance of providing quality footwear—[and] The Shoe That Grows offers an ideal solution.”

Last year, we purchased over 50 pairs of The Shoe That Grows for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, knowing that each pair represents not just practicality but also dignity and empowerment for the children who receive them,” said Zac.

The Shoe That Grows, a shoe that expands five sizes and lasts for years, was designed specifically for children around the world who are impacted by poverty. The Shoe protects children’s feet for years as they grow from injuries, parasites and soil-transmitted diseases.

“Including these shoes in OCC shoeboxes represents a practical solution to address the pressing needs of children in impoverished areas, where they often outgrow their shoes rapidly,” shares Zac. “Access to proper footwear is more than just practical—it’s empowering. Well-fitted shoes boost children’s self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to participate in social activities and outdoor play without inhibition.”

Every child deserves the protection and confidence that a quality pair of shoes provides. Zac’s journey from receiving a shoebox as a child to now packing them for others is a testament to how something as small as a pair of shoes can transform lives. This year, you can impact a child by including The Shoe That Grows in your box, ensuring that kids around the world have shoes to protect their feet for years to come.