In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers. •A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause. •Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. •Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.One for One Movement
Why Shoes?
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
another amazing organization is Krochet Kids
To empower people to rise above poverty. To create sustainable economic development programs that support holistic growth of individuals and communities within developing nations. To inspire the knowledge of a generation about their ability to bring change to a world that is in need. People: We desire holistic freedom for our people to grow and enrich their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our Product: We believe in quality, handmade products that not only bring comfort and style, but serve as a vehicle for social change.MISSION
VISION
VALUES
I am a campus rep for Pura Vida Bracelets and I can honestly say their cause is such an admirable one!
PURA VIDA BRACELETS CAUSE:
Here at Pura Vida Bracelets we strongly believe in giving back. After traveling around the world and seeing tons beaches filled with trash and debris, we wanted to make it not only a point to help, but a mission. There is no reason why our beautiful beaches and oceans should be left destroyed. Therefore, with every Pura Vida Bracelet sold, we donate 1% back to The Surfrider Foundation through 1% for the Planet. The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to protecting as well as preserving beaches and oceans worldwide. They have over 50,000 members and completed over 140,000 hours of volunteer work. We are seeking to improve those numbers and truly change how people treat the oceans and beaches that surround us.
In addition to cleaning up beaches around the world, we aim to provide more and more full time jobs to the amazingly talented artisans of Costa Rica. After traveling all over Costa Rica, we came to realize that with very little tourism and the low paying jobs, local jewelers had a difficult time making ends meet. From the exponential growth of Pura Vida Bracelets throughout the United States, we are now able to fully support the food, clothing, and shelter of 15 talented artisans. Our goal is to recruit all the artisans of Costa Rica and get their beautifully hand crafted jewelry on the wrists of everyone in the world. From Costa Rica to the United States, Pura Vida for life! :)
