Sandra’s new shoes
Thanks to OBI and TOMS Shoes, Sandra and her classmates now have brand new shoes to wear to school.
HUAYCAN, Peru – Sandra blushes as she hides her feet from view; she doesn’t want anyone to see her toes peeking through her worn out shoes.
When Sandra walks to school, she has to stop every so often to bend down and rid her shoes of the pebbles and sand that get lodged inside, making it uncomfortable to walk.
The nine-year-old would give almost anything for a new pair of shoes. Her mother has been doing her best to save money for a new pair, but their family has so little to live on that there simply isn’t anything left over for shoes.
Still, Sandra tries not to let that slow her down. She rarely misses school and is active in class, always contributing to the lesson. When it came time for the local Scholar Olympics, where children from several schools compete in athletic events, Sandra was the first to volunteer.
But when she glanced down at her feet, she was reminded of her worn out shoes. There was no way she would be able to participate. But an unexpected surprise was about to turn her situation around.
OB Peru came to Sandra’s school with TOMS Shoes to distribute to students. Sandra received a pair that fit her just right, and these didn’t have holes in them that would let in rocks and dirt.
“Thank you very much Operation Blessing. With my new shoes I will be able to compete in the Scholar Olympics, representing my class!” said an excited Sandra.
When OB teams came back to the school two weeks later, Sandra was jumping rope with the other students as they practiced for the competition.
“I love my shoes!” Sandra said, no longer hiding her feet in shame and embarrassment.
To date, OB Peru has distributed more than 14,000 pairs of TOMS Shoes to impoverished children throughout Huaycan, Iquitos, and Cusco.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more.
Please make an online contribution toward OBI's orphan care programs today and help us continue to reach those in need.