The Opportunity For Change Extends Beyond Our Front Door

I often describe the progression of TOMS as a shoe company that began three and a half years ago in my apartment in Venice, CA. I explain that for months, TOMS was run entirely by myself and three interns and then it grew from there. To describe the journey and evolution of TOMS in such a general way though does no justice to how truly incredible the TOMS story is and leaves out how many lives we have touched along the way. TOMS has matured, as much as a company can really "mature" in three years, into a company with a wider reach than I initially anticipated. Our first Shoe Drop was in Argentina and to date, TOMS has given shoes to children in over 15 countries. The Shoe Drops themselves have evolved as well.

One year ago, TOMS headed out for our first domestic Shoe Drops in Mississippi, Florida and Kentucky. In the States, we bring white canvas TOMS and boxes of markers to the children, encouraging them to unleash their creativity on their own custom pair of new shoes. Some people are surprised to find out that there is a great need for shoes in the U.S., but it's not uncommon to find kids cramming their feet into shoes that are too small or kids that have never owned a new pair of shoes in their life. The beautiful thing about a new pair of shoes is how empowering they can be. You see the kids walk away in their TOMS with their heads a little higher, shoulders a little straighter, eager to show off the new kicks that they created. Twice now, I've had the opportunity to join the Friends of TOMS volunteers on Shoe Drops in New Orleans, an area of this country that has been through so much over the past few years, but still home to a rich culture and an amazing amount of hospitality. When you fit children from this area in their shoes, or help them draw Spiderman, Michael Jackson or stars on their TOMS, (all popular requests) you can see a genuine excitement and appreciation in their faces. Moments like these remind you of the power of compassion, and it's humbling to experience that right here in our own backyard.

But the opportunity for change extends far beyond our front door. Since 2008, TOMS has been in Ethiopia, focused on a debilitating disease called Podoconiosis. It's difficult for me to even begin conversation around a disease like Podo. The disease is devastating for so many, yet the problem has received relatively no exposure. The amount of information I could share about the situation is overwhelming, but let me start with the basics. Podoconiosis is a geo-chemical disease caused by the absorption of minerals, including silica, from red clay volcanic soil through the feet. This particular soil and mineral content has been found commonly in Ethiopia, but also in Rwanda, Central America and even in Scotland. When these minerals enter the lymphatic system through continued exposure from say, walking barefoot, they cause the legs to swell to unmanageable and grotesque sizes. Often, doctors treat these patients with an anti-biotic because Podo is mistaken for a similar disease, but anti-biotics do nothing for Podo patients. There is, however, a surprisingly simple solution to prevention: shoes. That's where we come in. Since there is evidence of genetic susceptibility to Podo, TOMS now gives new shoes to the most at-risk children in Ethiopia, children whose parents have been infected with Podoconiosis.

Podo has not been invisible because it isn't a debilitating disease with an aggressive reach: it affects over 1 million people in Ethiopia alone. Podo has been invisible because those affected are invisible. In some local dialects, the word for leprosy is interchangeable with Podo - the social stigma and embarrassment associated with this disease causes those affected to stay in their homes, avoid human interaction and not seek medical help. Beyond giving shoes to children in Ethiopia, TOMS hopes to offer valuable education about Podoconiosis, and what measures we can each take to get involved in the future.

The future of One for One is exciting. TOMS will always host Shoe Drops, but the different giving programs will reach more and more countries, and allow TOMS to address a diverse set of issues. I will always be the Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, although new Chiefs arise and bring great leadership to this company. And TOMS will always be One for One, although that doesn't mean it will always just apply to shoes. As human beings, we are all armed with such powerful tools like passion, drive and optimism. If we use these and realize our ability today, the world can surely have a better tomorrow.

Comments

[Brian Sirgutz - Huffpost Blogger]

You can help by visiting http://www.causecast.org/org/friends-of-toms to make a donation or to share your support. Also.. www.tomshoes.com has more information on how you can help...

[research]

I hope it helps, we should also teach them how to make their owns shoes if it does.

[grammargirl]

We need a link. Thank you for reaching out. I bet those affected think the condition is due to some curse.

[ingabelle]

Thank you for the work that you do.
How can we help?

[johnsopinion]

In my youth I managed a small shoe store and I know the
importance of right-fitting shoes. I've been conscious of
their affect on my well-being ever since. Everyone should.

Thanks for this article, it is much appreciated and do you
only have shoes for children? (smile)

Those blessings that are mine to give, I give to you and
your helpers.

Peace.

[lastpost]

One more step.

[bayside]

Thank you for doing this..Bless your heart....Can you give us a link to donate..

[mastadon]

Thanks for a very informative post. This is yet another "neglected tropical disease" that we hear almost nothing about. And yet it causes so much disability. I see breast cancer advertisements everywhere-- on yoghurt containers, on billboards, in magazines-- and there are 1.8 million cases per year of breast cancer diagnosed world-wide. Yet there are almost as many cases of Podoconiosis in Ethiopia??!?

Each life is equal. Everyone deserves an opportunity to have the basic necessities of life.

Of course there are issues of hunger, food security, malaria and other infectious diseases in East Africa. But if you can keep peoples' feet healthy, and get them back to work, then they'll solve the challenges facing their community. Thanks again for your work.