Current Projects

Since the initial project which began with the collection of gently used shoes, in cooperation with schools, groups and through private donations, we have been able to raise over $100,000 for health and educational projects in Malawi.

Below, are the projects that we are currently fundraising for. If you, your family, your school, your church, or your group are looking for a worthwhile project to support, we have several to choose from. We realize that each project represents a substantial commitment, but together we can make them happen!

It All Started With The Shoes has just undertaken an exciting new project to provide 150 of the neediest families in Nchalo Parish with 3 goats each. This area is still recovering from a very severe drought in 2005. The goal of the project is to improve food security for households in need including some headed by orphans caring for younger brothers and sisters as well as others where grandparents are caring for orphaned grandchildren. The goats’ milk will provide much needed nutritional support in an area where more than 50% of children under 5 years old are chronically or severely malnourished. The goats will also provide organic manure for gardens and once the stock is above 5 goats/household, they will be able to begin eating or selling them.

You can help us reach this goal.

$50.00 will buy one goat and for $150.00 you can provide a family with their 3 goats.

2. Medicines (Physicians' Travel Packs - through Health Partners International of Canada)

It All Started With The Shoes has helped to organize and ship 3 containers to Malawi in the last 4 years. These containers were filled with donated items including computers, school supplies, clothing and shoes, books, sewing supplies, stuffed toys, and hospital linens. On arrival, the contents were distributed to families in need, schools, hospitals, AIDS orphanages, and rural villages. The cost to ship a 20 foot container, including ocean shipping and ground transportation within Africa is $8,000. We would like to send at least one container every a year Any financial support of the container would be greatly appreciated.

3. Containers

3. Container Project - Ongoing ...

Each year in Africa 5 million children die as a result of malaria, diarrhea, or pneumonia. These diseases are easily treatable with a few cents worth of antibiotics, but in many places these drugs are not available. In the last 4 years Stephanie and her father have hand delivered 16 Physicians' Travel Packs (PTP's) to rural hospitals and clinics in Northern Malawi. Each PTP is 70 pounds and can treat 1500 people.

The PTP's are supplied by Health Partners International of Canada, a humanitarian organization who receive donated medicines from pharmaceutical companies, all medicines are in-date and first quality. PTPs are individually packaged to be hand-carried for delivery to regions in need.

Each PTP has an administation cost of $550.00 and provides approximately $7000 worth of pharmaceutical and medical supplies.

Stephanie will be returning to Malawi in April of 2008 and hopes to take another 5 PTP's with her. If you or your group would like to sponsor a pack ($550) or donate towards the cost of a pack, please see our To Donate page for details.