Why The Shoe That Grows?
Donate a pair today.
Every $20 gift will send a pair of The Shoe That Grows to a child in rural Kenya, meeting an immediate need and removing a barrier to education.
Grows five sizes, lasts for years
The Shoe That Grows is a shoe that adjusts in seven places to expand five sizes, protecting a child's feet longer than any other shoe can.
Removes a barrier to education
A pair of shoes meets immediate needs like protecting health and reducing a financial burden, making it easier for kids to pursue education.
Patented, award-winning design
2018 recipient of The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patents for Humanity Award. Featured in publications including The Today Show, Buzzfeed, Smithsonian, Business Insider and more.
Made in Kenya
Since 2019, all pairs of The Shoe have been manufactured in Mombasa, Kenya—creating jobs in one of the communities where its distributed most.
Meet this month's distribution partner.
All pairs funded this month will be distributed through our partner Swahiba Networks to school-aged kids in Mombasa County, located in southeastern Kenya. Swahiba's mission is serving underprivileged communities in rural Kenya with a shared focus on shoes. Since partnering in 2023, we’ve distributed over 6,000 pairs of The Shoe That Grows together.
From Swahiba Networks:
"90% of children living in rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa walk to school barefoot
because with families living under $1 a day, a pair of shoe is not a priority. Although, a shoe alone doesn’t solve problems for these children, it helps them build their self-esteem and hope. A simple shoe donation can protect the children from hookworms, puncture wounds, sores and blisters and generally provide them comfort as they go through an already challenging tender life."
Protect feet
From parasites and disease
Build confidence
And improve self-esteem
Remove barriers
To help kids attend school
Elevate communities
Through health and education
Learn more about The Shoe That Grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While at least a million kids in Kenya lack appropriate footwear, one 2017 study of only public school children estimated 600,000 have no shoes at all. Without protection on their feet, they are left vulnerable to soil-transmitted diseases, parasites, and injuries that can lead to infection. Your donation of The Shoe That Grows will help provide kids in rural Kenya with a pair of expanding shoes, protecting their feet for years as they grow.
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The pairs will be distributed through our partner, Swahiba Networks, in Kenya. Specifically, Swahiba will be focusing on schools in Mikindani within the Changamwe District. This distribution location is especially meaningful because The Shoe That Grows is manufactured nearby in Mombasa.
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Because International’s story began in Kenya when our founder met a little girl in a white dress who was wearing shoes much too small for her feet. Inspired to create a shoe that could grow with a child, The Shoe That Grows was born. Since then, we’ve continued to work within the country through manufacturing at the Umoja Shoe Company in Mombasa and shoe distributions.
Through our partnership with local Kenyan organization Swahiba Networks, we learned that while at least a million kids in Kenya lack appropriate footwear, one 2017 study of only public school children estimated 600,000 have no shoes at all. No protection from hookworms, puncture wounds, sores and infection. So, given our passion for the community there and our ability to distribute pairs easily from the factory, we decided to continue working within the country that means so much to our mission and founding story. This campaign supports our commitment to reduce the number of kids in Kenya who need shoes. -
100%. For every $20 you donate, we will distribute one pair of The Shoe That Grows to a child.
Join and give pairs monthly.
The Sole is a community of donors who give monthly to support families impacted by global crises through distributions of The Shoe That Grows. Every $20 will send a pair.
What our members say.
Questions you might have about joining The Sole.
What is The Sole?
The Sole is Because International’s monthly giving community. It’s a group of people passionate about supporting families experiencing crisis by providing The Shoe That Grows. As a member of The Sole, you’ll receive a welcome packet, quarterly reports and an annual update that share the impact your gift is making.
How are the shoes distributed?
We partner with on-the-ground organizations, like Lifting Hands International, that specialize in international humanitarian relief. As shoes are identified as a need in the areas where they work, these organizations reach out to us with requests, which we fulfill using donations from The Sole.
Where will the shoes go?
Pairs of The Shoe That Grows that are funded through The Sole will go to areas that are impacted by crisis situations, like natural disasters, war or displacement. Recent distributions have taken place in Turkey, Pakistan, Ghana, Jordan and Gaza through our partner Lifting Hands International.
Why monthly donations?
Monthly donations are one of the most impactful ways to support the mission of Because International. Because we know that we can expect your support each month, we’re able to plan ahead with our international relief partners so shoes are available when the need arises.
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These donation gifts represent current and ongoing program needs.
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