The Shoe That Grows: adjustable shoes for kids in poverty

This brilliant invention could change the world

Every parent out there knows how costly buying shoes for your children can be. Their feet grow right before your very eyes and if it isn’t that, it’s a new season that requires a different kind of footwear. Further, many parents in third world nations cannot afford shoes for their children at all as they grow.

The Shoe That Grows was created to combat this problem, but the creator had a much bigger purpose in mind. Buying shoes for your kids is costly in America but imagine those children in less fortunate countries who often have no shoes at all.

The inventor was inspired by his travels abroad

The shoe maker, Kenton Lee, was inspired on a trip to Kenya where he saw children everywhere running around with shoes that didn’t fit, if they were wearing any shoes at all. Kenton Lee is the Founder of Because International, his nonprofit organization headquartered in Nampa, Idaho. The organization completed their original shoe sample and immediately reached out to crowdfund so they can send out more of their inventive product.

Kids are susceptible to diseases and infections if they don’t have shoes to wear. He found a way to provide shoes to needy kids so that they can play without worrying about contracting diseases and without worrying about outgrowing them.

That’s right- these shoes grow with the kids. They have snaps that allow the shoe to expand up to five sizes. There are two sizes, small and large. The small fits kids from kindergarten to fourth grade and the large fits kids from fifth grade to ninth.

So durable, they’ll last five years

We all know how hard kids are on shoes. The Shoe That Grows is manufactured so they are durable and can withstand five years of wear and tear. They’re made out of leather, rubber, and snaps. They actually look like sandals you’d see at REI too.

Kenton Lee created a simple solution for a big problem and he is an innovator we can certainly get behind. The Shoe That Fits is one of those organizations that you donate to and you know exactly how your donation is going to benefit those in need.

The shoes get sent by the duffel bag to areas with kids who need them around the globe. If you are as impressed and inspired as we are by these shoes, you can head to their website to buy a pair for your own kids and donate to the cause. For a $10 pledge, you can send a pair of shoes to a child in need.