Why The Shoe That Grows?
This Shoe The World Day, you can support a child's future.
March 15 is Shoe The World Day, a day recognizing the importance of footwear and the millions of people around the world who need shoes—including over 600,000 kids in rural Kenya alone.
Without shoes, kids are exposed to soil-transmitted diseases and parasites, and they are less likely to complete their education to escape the cycle of poverty. Together, we can help support their future.
Donate for Shoe The World Day and send The Shoe That Grows to a child in Kenya, protecting health and access to education. All gifts matched 1:1!
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.
Thoroughly tested
This design has undergone rigorous testing both in the factory in Kenya and in the field to ensure The Shoe That Grows will last.
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
Job creation is a powerful tool in the fight against poverty. Since 2019, all pairs of The Shoe have been manufactured in Mombasa, Kenya—creating jobs in one of the communities where its distributed most.
By donating as little as $20 right now, you can give a child a pair of shoes—providing foot protection, an opportunity for better education, and dignity for several years. Thanks to donor Gordian Staffing for matching gifts up to $15,000.
In partnership with Swahiba Networks
All pairs funded by you 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 Shoe The World Day.
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 for Shoe The World Day will 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.
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100%. For every $20 you donate, we will distribute one pair of The Shoe That Grows to a child.
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Swahiba Networks is a Kenya-based nonprofit we began partnering with in 2023 to distribute shoes. Swahiba’s primary focus is supporting the marginalized communities living in the slums and rural areas of Kenya. Since partnering, we’ve distributed more than 6,000 pairs of The Shoe That Grows together, and we look forward to continued partnership in the future as we work to ensure all kids in Kenya have access to a pair of shoes.
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Gordian Staffing is the generous donor who, for the second year in a row, has provided up to $15,000 in matching funds for our Shoe The World Day campaign. An HR company with a focus on hiring remote team members from Mexico and the Philippines, Gordian has also funded distributions of over 1,700 pairs in places their employees can volunteer.
