Designboom - Shoes that Grow - Designed for Children Living in Poverty

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The 411: The Shoes Can Expand Up to Five Sizes

Found on: https://www.designboom.com/design/the-shoe-that-grows-01-05-2018/

Back in 2007, kenton lee — founder of the shoe that grows — was living and working in nairobi, kenya. one day he noticed a little girl wearing shoes that were way too small for her feet and many others walking barefoot — making children vulnerable to soil-transmitted diseases and parasites that can cause illness and even death. after seeing and reflecting on the situation, lee had an idea: ‘wouldn’t it be great if there was a shoe that could adjust and expand – so that kids always had a pair of shoes that fit?’


(Children walking barefoot are vulnerable to soil-transmitted diseases and parasites that can cause illness)

And that was the starting point of the shoe that grows – a non-profit organization that has designed a pair of shoes for children living in extreme poverty that overgrow their shoes. made of compressed rubber —a material similar to that of a car tire—, antibacterial synthetic, and high grade, tactical velcro, the shoe that grows has no mechanical parts or gears to break. it comes in three different sizes, and each one is able to grow into 5 sizes more. best part about them? they come for a total of USD$15 per pair.

With over 120,000 pair of shoes distributed among 91 countries, the shoe that grows has changed kid’s life, aiding their health, attendance to school and their confidence.

(The shoe that grows aims to give people living in extreme poverty the chance to have shoes that they won’t outgrow)

(The shoes can expand up to 5 sizes)

(Made in the most resisting materials, the shoes promise to last even if worn for years)

(Situation of kids in extreme poverty conditions)