Ethiopia

I have had many incredible experiences since starting TOMS, but none have been more moving or humbling than the twelve days that I recently spent in Ethiopia.

It’s hard to believe, but thousands of children are dying every year in Ethiopia because they do not have proper footwear. Podoconiosis (or Podo, for short) is a terrible disease caused by a certain type of contaminated soil. Podo causes massive swelling, ulcers and deformities in the feet and lower legs – leaving young children with feet the size of elephants. Those suffering from Podo are treated like Lepors in their communities and have no chance to hold a job, get married or raise a family. At this very moment, between 500,000 and 1 million Ethiopians are suffering from Podo and 11 million total are at risk of contracting the disease. The statistics are mind-boggling.

The solution to this problem, however, is tragically simple: SHOES.

We want to completely wipe Podo off the face of the Earth by hand delivering a tough and durable shoe to kids at risk of contracting the disease. Show your support and visit our Causes page on Facebook!