Because International

Sarah Muguku recently met up with the Because International team in Kajiado, Kenya to distribute The Shoe That Grows and collect important data—but this wasn't the first time the 2021 Because Accelerator alumna joined the team for a distribution. After joining a distribution in 2022, Sarah now takes every opportunity to help. She recalls the first distribution she attended in Murang'a County, which was particularly impactful for her.? “We had a shoe distribution and cleaned feet that were jigger-infested. It was of great impact for me because it taught me humility. I was humbled to recognize how many people don’t have access to the necessities and life that I do. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to give back through shoe distributions and jigger treatment.”? Sarah participated in the Because Accelerator to gain skills to help her grow her company, Whamboy Designs, and to create jobs for deaf Kenyan women. Now, she is gaining even deeper value and meaning through her ongoing connection to the team, other accelerator alumni and The Shoe That Grows.?

We had a great time catching up with our partner, MISSION PARTNERS FOR CHRIST, at the Global Missions Health Conference in Kentucky last week! Mission Partners for Christ has partnered with Because International since 2018 to distribute The Shoe That Grows through their medical mission trips. Over the years, they've taken pairs to Liberia, Ethiopia, Chad, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Comoros, Togo, Sierra Leone and Burundi! ?? Check out https://lnkd.in/gASrX4uQ to learn more about their work. #MissionPartnersforChrist #TheShoeThatGrows #GMHC

On Sarah Overcast's first day of her mission trip to Guatemala, a small group of curious boys discovered bags of The Shoe That Grows that she had set aside to distribute the following day. Sarah recalls watching as the boys excitedly brought their friends over for sneak peeks—they couldn't wait to wear them! Want to bring that same excitement to kids like this on your next service trip? Bring The Shoe That Grows! Read more about Sarah's trip and how she fundraised for pairs here: https://lnkd.in/gYcyA99Y

“Not only did this experience solidify the cause of our collective mission, it showed how an act of kindness and generosity can sometimes speak louder than words.”?–Ramiro Davila That's just one of the lessons Ramiro—Cornell University student and founder of Ascending Latin-American Sustainability Initiative—learned when distributing The Shoe That Grows in his native Ecuador. His student-led social impact organization received a $10,000 award from Projects for Peace to support its work with Ecuador and Latin American communities, which Ramiro put towards a distribution of The Shoe That Grows. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gUuWaJJS

?? Limb Kind Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides free prosthetics to kids impacted by poverty. A few years ago, founder Rob Schulman discovered that many of the kids he supported didn't have shoes to protect their feet or their new prosthetic, but he was unsure how to predict the correct sizes ahead of each trip abroad. That's where The Shoe That Grows steps in—able to expand and fit each child's feet. Since partnering with Because International, Rob has distributed more than 130 pairs to kids who received prosthetics through Limb Kind, helping them walk, play, and thrive. ?? Learn more about Limb Kind and how you can support their mission: https://lnkd.in/gza82AVd

Designed to be adjustable and durable, The Shoe That Grows is the most impactful footwear for kids facing poverty or crisis. ?? This innovative product can be more easily distributed than any other shoe to areas where access is difficult or infrequent because it adjusts five sizes and lasts for years. Connect with us at https://lnkd.in/dtDcZK4y for ways to partner to get #TheShoeThatGrows to the communities you serve. ?? #HumanitarianAid #PovertyAlleviation?

We're excited to exhibit at the Global Missions Health Conference this week! If you're in attendance, stop by Block Booth 3205 and say hi to Logan Lawrence to hear how The Shoe That Grows can complement your service work! Attending virtually? Check out becauseinternational.org to see how our adjustable, durable shoe supports kids' health and education by protecting their feet for years. #TheShoeThatGrows #GMHC

“I recall my struggles with makeshift repairs on my sandals, using nails to mend them, often resulting in discomfort and injuries. Most of the time, I would end up going to school without shoes. Sometimes, I would step to the side of the road so my feet could cool down a little—the tar on the road would melt and stick to the bottom of our feet. “Now, serving as the children and youth director in our local church, I understand the importance of providing quality footwear—[and] The Shoe That Grows offers an ideal solution." Read the rest of Sakiusa Vakadewatabua's story about growing up in Fiji and how his experiences inspired him to include The Shoe That Grows in his shoeboxes each year: https://lnkd.in/gxTk_nS7

Did you know that The Shoe That Grows is primarily distributed through partnerships? Organizations and individuals serving families in the humanitarian relief, health, and education spaces love how The Shoe complements their work to meet an immediate need and provide ongoing impact. ?? Read how COCO Charity, Limb Kind Foundation, and LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL each partner with Because International to enhance their work by distributing shoes ?? https://lnkd.in/gEk_J-Pv #TheShoeThatGrows #HumanitarianAid?

???? Energy poverty is a pressing issue in Uganda, with 90% of the population relying on traditional biomass fuels that endanger health and the environment. But change is happening, thanks to entrepreneurs like Mariah Kizza. After experiencing firsthand the struggles of cooking with traditional fuel, she launched SWEDO Innovations Limited to provide cleaner, affordable energy solutions and empower women in her community. To learn more about Mariah and the impact of her work, check out our blog: https://shorturl.at/7TkOs