Shoes that grow with the kid

In this day and age, many people in developing countries still do not enjoy something as basic as having a pair of shoes. Walking barefoot on a daily basis could cause several problems, including incurring soil-transmitted diseases.

Kenton Lee, founder and executive director of The Shoe That Grows, noticed this during his stint in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007. He witnessed children wearing ill-fitting shoes or going barefoot. This led him to devise a prototype that is long lasting and adjustable.

The shoes are made of leather, rubber and snaps. There are two sizes available, both of which can be adjusted by up to five sizes and last at least five years. Adjustments can be made in the width, length and shape. Longer usage means less replacement costs, which is paramount for impoverished areas. Additionally, the shoes can be compressed and transported easily.

Organizations and individuals continue to come up with ways on how to help underprivileged communities through products of services. Qualities such as costs, durability and ease of use are important aspects to consider for this demographic.

View a comparison table of selected children's sandals suppliers on GlobalSources.com