Shoe4Africa: A Charity That Started With a Pair of Shoes

Back in 1995, Toby Tanser was training athletics in Kenya. Before he returned to Sweden, he gave his last pair of shoes to a taxi driver at the departures stand in Nairobi. That event eventually led to the founding of Shoe4Africa, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people through sports and education, creating unique health initiatives, and promoting AIDS awareness.

In 2010, Shoe4Africa began building a school. This year, the non-profit started building East Africa's first public children's hospital.

With a focus on health and education, Shoe4Africa promotes AIDS awareness by holding sporting events where PHOs offer counseling, advice, and guidance; hosting AIDS awareness races; and giving out leaflets in the Kalenjin language. Moreover, Shoe4Africa distributes AIDS awareness kits to schools, holds peace sports days for schools, and brings sports and educational equipment to those in need. The charity advocates women's empowerment and peace as well.

Tanser, who serves as CEO of Shoe4Africa, is also its only full-time staff. The non-profit relies heavily on volunteers in Africa, the US, and elsewhere.