TOMS Shoes Donates 800,000 Pairs of New Shoes to Children in Haiti

by Charles Franzen/IMA

Recognizing the connection between shoes and health, IMA World Health and TOMS Shoes are joining together to distribute 800,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need in Haiti. They will distribute 500,000 new shoes this fall and an additional 300,000 new shoes in the spring of 2011. While TOMS will donate the shoes, IMA will manage the distribution. The collaboration will support IMA's long-term efforts to address key health care challenges in the country.

TOMS Shoes, known for its unique One for One business model, gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes purchased. In addition to preventing foot injury and infection, wearing shoes can significantly reduce a child's chances of becoming infected by parasitic worms that are often transmitted through contaminated water and soil in areas with poor sanitation.

TOMS Shoes will provide a third vital weapon for IMA to use in combating STH. In addition to mass drug administration to treat STH—a program that is slated to achieve nationwide coverage in Haiti by the end of 2011 (in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Education) —IMA also distributes Healthy Kids Kits to provide essential hygiene products to children to encourage frequent hand and face washing.

While STH can hamper learning, a lack of shoes can prohibit education altogether as children in Haiti are prohibited from attending school unless they have shoes. In addition to improved health, children whose families are unable to afford shoes will also benefit from continued access to education and opportunity through the TOMS donation program.

The official announcement of the partnership was made at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on October 6 as IMA World Health celebrated 50 years with an evening entitled "Partnership. Health. Haiti." The event was hosted by CNN's Gary Tuchman and attended by 200 guests.

For more information please visit www.toms.com