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, with income going only towards food and essential items. Unable to afford traditional toys, Zac was used to playing with sticks and stones instead. An avid rugby player but unable to purchase a ball, Zac was used to playing with an empty soda bottle instead. 

“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, it lacked a pair of shoes—something Zac now ensures is part of every shoebox he packs as a children and youth director at Clay Center United Methodist Church in Kansas.

“I recall my struggles with makeshift repairs on my sandals, using nails to mend them, often resulting in discomfort and injuries. Most of the time, I would end up going to school without shoes. Sometimes, I would step to the side of the road so my feet could cool down a little—the tar on the road would melt and stick to the bottom of our feet.

“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 from injuries, parasites and soil-transmitted diseases for years as they grow. 

“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 the power of small things to transform lives. This year, you can increase the lasting impact of your Christmas shoeboxes in the same way Zac does by including The Shoe That Grows, ensuring that kids around the world have shoes to protect their feet for years to come.