Cover image via says.comAt a time when an organisation formed with the purpose to "help promote development in poor or war-torn countries" ends up displacing millions of residents in Asia, Africa and in other emerging markets; therefore taking away all hopes of well-intentioned efforts doing any good, comes the news about 'The Shoe That Grows'
Image via theshoethatgrows.org
An invention of Kenton Lee, 'The Shoe That Grows' is an adjustable, expandable sandal that can "grow" up to five sizes and last for up to five years, allowing children in impoverished nations to grow up without having to go barefoot and prevent them from being infected with soil-transmitted diseases. And they're easy to clean and use.
Image via theshoethatgrows.org
According to BuzzFeed News, Kenton and his team at first tried to give the idea to companies like Nike, Crocs, and Toms, to no avail. Eventually they found a "shoe development company" called Proof of Concept who agreed to help them with the design of the shoe.
Image via theshoethatgrows.org
The uniquely designed shoes come in two sizes. The small size fit preschoolers through fifth graders, while the large will fit fifth through ninth graders. The basic idea is that the whole time kids are in school, they'll have a pair of shoes that fit their fast-growing feet.
Image via theshoethatgrows.org
Kenton says that he had no idea how important shoes were before he went to Kenya. "But kids," he says, "especially in urban areas, can get infections from cuts and scrapes on their feet from going barefoot, and contract diseases that cause them to miss school."
Image via becauseinternational.org
The shoes cost USD10 a pair, and each pair goes into a "duffle bag" that can fit 50 pairs of shoes. Once one organisation's duffle bag is full, 'Because International' ships it to the organisation that flies with them to one of seven countries. So far about 2,500 children across seven countries are wearing the shoes, including in Ghana, Haiti, Peru, Colombia, and Kenya, BuzzFeed News reported.
Image via Bored Panda
