A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE.3

The Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” encompasses two essential approaches toward beneficial impact: Handouts and Hand ups. Handouts provide short-term solutions, which can be fundamental in situations requiring immediate aid such as natural disasters. Yet, the path to creating the world we dare to imagine will require the latter. Hand ups are developmental opportunities intent on securing long-term viability.

Operating in 14 countries, Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization determined to disrupt the cycle of poverty by creating jobs and providing relief through the distribution of shoes. Unlike handout organizations, it collects donated shoes and repurposes them as a steady supply of sellable inventory for its microenterprise operation taking place in underdeveloped regions around the world. Soles4Souls offers a hand up, providing the necessary training and support for these small business operators to become self-sufficient.

Have you ever thought about the power of shoes? No, I’m not talking about the resell value or fashion statement your making with those OFF-WHITE Air Maxes. Think about it in its rudimentary sense. Shoes provide the protection our feet need to navigate our campus’s wildest terrains. Now, think about underdeveloped countries. Shoes protect people from disease. Without shoes, kids are unable to make the trek to school. Without shoes, adults cannot work. Shoes are universally needed and valued. They’re a tangible commodity that is easy to transport and sell.

A few years ago, I managed a city-wide shoe drive in my hometown. After establishing partnerships with more than 20 local businesses and schools, I was able to contribute over 6,700 pairs of shoes to Soles4Souls. Once the drive ended, I went on a service trip with the organization to witness the distribution of shoes to various schools, orphanages, and microenterprises in Haiti. This was where I learned the power of shoes. Seeing the joy that a seemingly “new” pair of shoes brought to the kids and adults was an experience that I will never forget. By selling these shoes, the women knew they would be able to provide food, shelter, education, and other necessities for their families.

Shoes are more than just accessories, they’re symbols of empowerment and opportunity. Microenterprises enforce a sense of dignity and hope that only self-sufficiency can provide. With AMDP’s support, we can expand operations to Europe or increase our presence in South America and Africa. Soles4Souls presents a unique opportunity for AMDP to instill this hand up mentality, disrupt the cycle of poverty, and manifest the world we dare to imagine.