A Day With(out) Shoes

April 8th was A Day Without Shoes. It was a day to spread awareness about underprivileged people who have to go everyday without shoes. Because of this they can develop terrible debilitating disorders with their feet!

Facts from A Day Without Shoes website:

One Day Without Shoes is the day we spread awareness about the impact a simple pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. On April 8th, we ask people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and inspire others at the same time.

It’s Hard Without Shoes

Through everyday encounters with domestic poverty, we are reminded to appreciate having food and shelter, but most of us all but forget about our feet. Food, shelter, AND shoes facilitate life’s fundamentals. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold.

The problem is large, but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. On April 8th, communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes.

Facts:

• In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
• Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
• Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
• In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.

I wanted to participate all day...Unfortunately, I couldn't go barefoot at work! So this is as barefoot I got:

That is until lunch when I went for a walk around the plaza!

I'm grateful that I can afford to wear shoes daily! For this I pledge to purchase a pair of TOMS shoes. For every pair of TOMS shoes sold, they donate a pair to someone in need! I encourage you to do the same! :D