I have recently been inspired by the creator of the line of "TOMS shoes". An average person, doing amazing things for poor children who need help and cannot get it. I have recently heard about his movement and the wonderful things he is doing for children in countries all over the world. Helping these children around the world is very difficult, and heartbreaking to think about while people like you and I sit in our warm homes, eating good food, having the chance to get a free education and the ability to have a good paying job. These children suffer many hardships, however there are many wonderful companies and people out there helping them. Tom, created shoes for these children to wear. Sure, a pair of shoes may not seem like a huge deal, but the reasons he is doing what he does are important and could change someones life forever. These children are at risk for:
* soil-transmitting diseases which can penetrate the skin through a persons feet
* getting suts and sores that can become infected, since there are not many ways to treat infectionseasily in these countries.
*and not having the ability to get an education due to the fact that shoes are often a part of their uniforms. Not getting an education will not give these children the ability to realize their amazing potential.
At first, you may think shoes are not a huge deal, yet when reading the issues above, you soon realize how important they are. We wear them everyday to do our daily activities.
So I ask you, would you go without shoes for a day to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes has on a child? I am. April 5th, 2011. Sure, this will not be easy to everyone (jobs, school, etc). However, I will take the opportunity to go without shoes that entire day to the best of my ability, even if it means just slipping on a pair of shoes to go to class. I recently bought TOMS shoes, simply because a child in need will be receiving a pair as well. If you buy a pair of his shoes, a child in need gets a pair as well. It is his "one for one" motto. You can read and findout more about Tom and what he does on his website. http://toms.com. I am not telling you to go buy a pair of his shoes, but perhaps after reading and finding out more, you may want to, a child could use your help. He is not slapping commercials on the tele, playing sad music, featuring sick children all over the place. He is somewhat celebrating what he believes in and the hope he wants to bring to these children.
This discussion is just to ask, will you go without shoes for a day to raise awareness for children without shoes? I am.
