What started as a post-university trip to see the world has turned into a 10-year (and going strong) endeavor that has distributed over 350,000 pairs of expandable shoes to children living in poverty in over 100 countries around the world.
Idaho native Kenton Lee became aware of the needs of these children when working at an orphanage in Kenya in 2007. He noticed many children were barefoot or had the fronts of their shoes cut out to accommodate their growing feet. Upon his return home, he rallied a group of friends, and they began building prototypes in his garage. They also started the nonprofit organization Because International™ to serve as the structure to distribute The Shoe That Grows.
In 2012, the first 100 pairs of “The Shoe That Grows” were distributed. The shoes had snaps on the sides, toes, and heels that allowed them to be adjusted to “grow” 5 foot sizes. Since the beginning, the shoes have also grown in design and functionality, such as the switch to straps rather than snaps. The latest iteration was unveiled in 2021 and had undergone rigorous testing in the manufacturing facility and in the field, prior to advancing to full production status. The new version consists of a single injection-molded piece, whereas the original was comprised of 8 parts stitched and glued together. And the shoes are only offered in black now, rather than pink, tan, or blue, to meet school dress codes.
To learn more about The Shoe That Grows, visit becauseinternational.org.
