“Seeking knowledge the hard way.” This is the motto etched in the rafters of a school in a rural Maasai community several hours outside Nairobi, Kenya. In February, members of the Because International team traveled there for a unique distribution that included both The Shoe That Grows and SeatPacks—an innovative backpack containing classroom equipment.

The school was one room with a bare dirt floor and only two desks. Most of the students would sit on the floor for lessons, led by Eunice, their teacher and school founder. Eunice shared that she started the school when she realized that many students in that community weren’t attending elsewhere because the closest school was too far to walk. As it is, many of the students walk as far as 10km in one direction to reach Deuata Primary.

Because International’s Nairobi-based team members, Japheth and Harliet, had previously traveled to the school and identified the need for both SeatPacks and The Shoe That Grows. While the majority of the students were wearing shoes, they were either inexpensive plastic shoes or leather shoes in very poor condition. Both types of shoes are poor options for walking multiple hours a day on the hot, rocky terrain. 

“Considering their journeys—how rocky it was, with thorns everywhere—they needed something to protect their feet, and their current shoes were barely hanging on. Just from our short walk to the school, I found myself with dozens of thorns in my shoes. These kids desperately needed new, sturdy shoes to get to class,” shared Sarah, our director of impact.

This was the first joint distribution effort between Because and an alumnus of the Because Accelerator program. As we continue to learn more about how we can best support entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses, we’re intentionally testing activities that can increase the impact of both organizations. In this case, distributing SeatPacks and The Shoe That Grows together multiplied the impact on educational access in this community. 

The SeatPack is an impact product that responds to the need for classroom furniture and supplies in rural communities. Developed by Because Accelerator alumnus Arnold Mugagga of Zetu Africa, it’s a backpack that contains a bamboo stool, writing surface, reusable menstrual pad, and—in the newest model—a solar panel with two portable lights.

“It's the first time that we've given SeatPacks with solar panels,” Arnold shared, “and to get a cheer from the children and the parents knowing that there's benefit in the school and at home—that was mind blowing. I can’t wait to do this again.”

In all, 97 pairs of The Shoe That Grows and 50 SeatPacks were distributed. In this community, and similar communities throughout rural Kenya, impact products like The Shoe That Grows and the SeatPack help remove real barriers between kids and an education—making their path to knowledge a little easier. 

Your support makes distributions like this possible. All donations to Because go directly to providing pairs of The Shoe That Grows. Give now to remove a barrier to education in rural Kenya.