What We're Fighting
Shoes are the simplest vaccine against soil-borne pathogens and parasitic infections.
Podoconiosis
Also referred to as non-filarial lymphedema, this disease is caused by long-term exposure to irritant volcanic soils. When walking barefoot, these irritant minerals penetrate the skin, causing severe inflammation and thickening of the legs.
The disease is a major health problem in rural farming communities, especially in Africa where people have limited access to shoes. Treatment is costly, but prevention is simple: protective footwear.
Hookworm
The hookworm disease comes from a painful parasitic worm that enters through your foot and travels to your intestines. It can stay there for years causing excruciating pain and may even lead to malnutrition and effects on growth.
It can stunt growth mentally and physically in children. People without surgical help may end up carrying larvae that eventually travel to the lungs.
General Welfare
Barefoot life exposes children to much more than just clinical diseases; simple scratches can lead to severe fungal and bacterial infections. For those walking miles each day for water or school, a minor hindrance can quickly escalate into a monumental problem.
We are dedicated to protecting the general welfare of the population, ensuring that a tiny cut never grows into a life-altering obstacle.
Join the Mission
A single pair of shoes can change the trajectory of a life. Join us in the fight against soil-borne diseases.