Skip to main content

Shoes


Summer came here in England rather late and the need for a pair of sandals was delayed.
And then when it finally came, the summer that is, my feet were protesting
the gilded cages that were my boots.

Suddenly freedom for my feet became rather imperative...
Not wishing to buy a cheap pair that would quickly leave its mark in the form of blisters, or would break down after putting it through my rather quick pace of walking... the search began!

And then my eyes beheld the lovely form upon a friend's feet. 
The perfect sandal. 
Appealing to my eye.
Simple, yet enough detail.

                               
These sandals were made my Toms.

(Don't know what I speak of, just click the link at the end!)
One for One
I buy a pair of their shoes. 
AND
They provide a pair for a child who doesn't have any.
                                       
And suddenly you become aware that every choice you make matters.
It carries weight
It speaks of value.
Of what you value.
You have power every time you spend money to cast your vote on what will win. 
Corporations.... Or
 Organisations, that seek a better quality of life for all humanity.

I just wanted a pair of sandals.
But in my choice, I had the power to help someone else. 

A shoe can mean life and health to someone.
APA seek to help prevent and treat those suffering with a devastating,
 disfiguring disease of the lower legs and feet.
A disease known as Podoconiosis.
For those people in places like Ethiopia, a shoe means everything.
Quality of life.
Health.
Belonging in families & communities. 

In 2014 Toms donated the second delivery of 86,340
of children's shoes to be given out in the districts APA was operating.
Toms are effectively helping with the work of those seeking to prevent
 others from suffering from the disease of podoconiosis.
All by way of giving a pair of shoes to a child.

The power to affect change in your world, in the lives of those around the world,
can be as simple as buying a pair of shoes.

Just a thought I had today...

Be sure to check out the work of
Toms
http://www.toms.co.uk/
&
APA
http://www.actiononpodo.com/





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Changing Leaves

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end."   ~Jo March,  Louisa May Alcott, Little Women. A few years ago, I upgraded to a new-to-me, used iPhone.  The camera was better, the storage slightly larger for my obsessive hobby of taking photos of things that caught my eye during walks.  (Let me be honest, it happened far too often, but then again, it's who I am!) My friend's husband jokingly asked if it came with a photo album of leaves, or something along those lines. To his credit, it was a witty and hilarious joke that reflected a reality and truth, that all who were present knew very well... Sheena sure loved to post photos of leaves. I can't help it, my breath catches and I want to document the moment, the transition and to share it with others.  The difference between today and tomorrow is everything in this season.  So, I don't want to miss this moment, th...

Hello my old friend

Photo by  Hush Naidoo  on  Unsplash    Friday evening coffee with a friend = a decision to drop by the  Blood Donation Clinic first. They called to say they were in town. Having missed the call, I forgot the message. Until the evening rolled around. I messaged my friend. "Should we do our civic duty  and go give blood before coffee?" "My mother is telling me not to be a wuss... so I guess I have to..." After arriving, we have to answer quite a few interesting  questions to confirm eligibility. Next step, they test your hemoglobin levels. To be eligible to donate, your blood must read 125 & over. 'Prick' My finger now flowing just enough for them to take and test. 124. An option to test the other hand. But they must collect enough for two readings. Both readings must be 125+ 127 120 Not able to donate. Leaving the cubicle, hands empty, my friend's eyes take note, register the fact I am withou...

Chucking things in a bin

In an attempt to be productive tonight, I found myself rummaging through boxes filled with collections from my teenage years I found it very interesting to look back and discover things kept that were once important to me. Items that held sentiment, dreams,goals and hope for the future, or memories of moments I never wanted to forget Tonight I found myself looking at these items through different lenses Chucking things in the bin became a overwhelming source of freedom Not everything, by any means, but certain things that no longer held value or use, found their way into the bin. Now if only I could be as decisive on my future... Where the road leads, I have no idea, but I am excited for what adventure is around the corner