At Because International, our mission is to alleviate poverty by distributing our impact product—The Shoe That Grows.

Designed for communities impacted by poverty or crisis, The Shoe That Grows expands five sizes and lasts for years to keep properly fitting footwear on kids’ feet longer than any other shoe. The Shoe protects kids from soil-transmitted diseases, parasites and injuries so they can attend school, travel long distances, and help their families and community.

It’s estimated that 300 million kids around the world don’t own a pair of shoes, and we believe that partnerships are vital to bringing this number down to zero. 

For organizations and individuals working in humanitarian relief, health or education, The Shoe That Grows is an ideal pairing for several reasons:

• It comes in five sizes, effectively covering 25 sizes in total, making it easy to bulk distribute without knowing the sizes in advance. 
• It fits properly and lasts for years to maximize the impact of every distribution.
• It protects the sole, toe, and top of the foot and stays on to support active kids.
• It is available at wholesale pricing for all sales with additional discounting for bulk orders.

We want to collaborate with you to reach the communities you serve. Here are just a few examples of ways we’ve partnered with organizations to distribute pairs of The Shoe That Grows.

Kenya distribution with UK-based nonprofit COCO Charity 

In 2023, Because International partnered with COCO Charity, a UK-based nonprofit that provides quality education for kids in marginalized communities, to distribute 750 pairs of The Shoe That Grows to schools in Kenya. 

“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. 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.” shared Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer (MEAL Officer) Officer Rebecca Brett.

Learn more about our partnership with COCO.

Fitting shoes on prosthetic limbs with Limb Kind Foundation

Without a limb or limbs, individuals may find it difficult to get around the community, work, attend school, or enjoy everyday activities like playing outside with friends. That’s where Limb Kind Foundation steps in—a New York nonprofit that helps domestic and international children by providing free prosthetics.

“In almost all these countries that we go to,” said founder Robert Schulman, “the children show up with barely any shoes, and we feel bad that we’re providing prosthetics but no shoes to put on them. The Shoe That Grows is the perfect synergistic project for this, as there’s wiggle room if the sizing isn’t exactly correct, and they also have time to grow with the shoe.”

Since discovering The Shoe That Grows, Limb Kind has partnered with Because International several times to bring pairs for kids they serve on international trips. 

Learn more about our partnership with Limb Kind Foundation.

Sending shoes to areas impacted by crisis with Lifting Hands International 

Because International’s monthly giving community, The Sole, supports the distribution of shoes to communities impacted by crises, like families in Gaza, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Jordan. 

These distributions are made possible by The Sole and our partner Lifting Hands International, who identify needs and pack pairs into aid shipments.

“Most refugees want to go back home to a time and place when it was safe. We can’t do that for them. But we can fix the cold. We can provide blankets and coats, and winter clothing. We can improve their health and enhance their employment opportunities by protecting their feet with shoes,” shared Carlissa Larsen, Director of Utah Operations. 

Learn more about our partnership with Lifting Hands International.