Kenton Lee was on a trip to Kenya where he saw a girl with broken shoes. Therefore, he came up with some shoes that could fit and enlarge up to five sizes. The Shoe That Grows is an invention that allows thousands of children in critical contexts to be safe from various diseases.
Practical compassion is the word that define the impulse of the creators of this noble project. The shoe which is able to increase its size gradually was aimed to assist children in situations of extreme poverty. The initiative was led by Kenton Lee, founder and CEO of The Shoe That Grows.
The idea arose when Lee, from Idaho, USA, lived and worked as a missionary in Nairobi, Kenya, in the year 2007. When Kenton Lee, founder and CEO of Because International, lived in Nairobi, Kenya, he became aware of the terrible and degrading conditions in which its inhabitants live. Many things caught his attention most especially the need for a pair of shoes for children which was meant to cover them from infections and allow them to have a dignified and safe walk.
That was how The Shoe That Grows, a second nonprofit organization, was born. They are committed to listening to those living in extreme poverty, understand their thoughts, ideas and dreams for a better life, while working together to help them make it happen. This was how the shoe that adjusts to growth was born, lasting for several years and preventing children from exposing the soles of their feet to the inclemency of the environment. More than two billion people in the world suffer from the diseases and infections transmitted by direct contact with the soil, which is why this invention is very vital as it is a very important step to improve the quality of life of those who are forced to live in these conditions.
The Shoe That Grows is an organization currently supported by Because International, a company founded in 2009 which is dedicated at providing solutions to extreme poverty contexts. Currently, this footwear is distributed in countries such as Ecuador, Haiti, Kenya, Ghana. Today, there are 300 million children without shoes. Although they receive donations of shoes, they cannot enjoy them for long as their feet naturally grow. This exposes them to injuries and infections from bacteria living in the soil, which often lack proper hygiene. Lee's sandal can expand to five sizes in five years, and is made from durable, lightweight, durable materials.
Since 2007, Kenton began working on his idea of putting the world's children in a durable, growing alternative. After tests and prototypes, the expected result arrived and the world celebrated it with joy. Kenton was able to create sandals that can be expanded to 5 sizes and are designed to last for 5 years.
Today, The Shoe that Grows models have landed in countries like Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Colombia. Thanks to the support of thousands of donors around the world. In addition, each pair is delivered in a bag that can be used as a school bag for children.