Flip-flops versus The Shoe That Grows
October 15, 2024
An estimated 600,000 children in rural Kenya alone don’t own a pair of shoes. At Because International, our mission is to change that. But since kids’ feet grow so quickly, why not just get them a pair of inexpensive flip-flops?
Our team learned the answer during a recent distribution in Kilifi, Kenya. While fitting kids for The Shoe That Grows, we talked to the staff at Mulungu wa Mawe Primary School. Head Teacher Simon explained why flip-flops are less than ideal for kids in Kenya.
He said, "When a child wears shoes with a thong [flip-flop] and walks for a long distance, they get an infection in between the toes. The parents are unable to afford treatment, so they just leave it be until it heals."
Simon went on to explain that flip-flops offer little protection to his students’ feet, and when they inevitably get sores, parasites or injuries, they may miss school because they don’t have the resources to treat their feet.
The Shoe That Grows was designed both to protect children’s feet and accommodate their rapid growth rate. It is the ideal shoe for kids impacted by poverty and crisis.
Invest in kids' health and education and include The Shoe That Grows as the WOW item in your Christmas shoeboxes.
THE SHOE THAT GROWS
$20.00
It’s estimated that over 300 million children around the world don’t have shoes. By including The Shoe That Grows in your Christmas shoebox, you can help change that!
The Shoe That Grows expands five sizes and lasts for years, making it a practical choice for your “wow” item. The adjustable shoe grows five sizes, lasts for years and is easy to clean. It has a compressed rubber sole, antibacterial synthetic upper, high grade velcro, and no mechanical parts or gears to break—perfect for sending to kids in your box.
Select the age range for the Christmas shoeboxes you’re sending and we’ll send you The Shoe That Grows in the best size for that age—the size that will allow for the most growth.
Not ready to order? Create a peer-to-peer fundraising page using our free platform and raise support for your order of The Shoe That Grows.
Order a sample shoe to make sure The Shoe That Grows is the right fit for your shoebox.
Not packing boxes yourself? Donate to send shoes through our partners who are packing shoeboxes this season.