London Non-Profit Enables Families Living on Landfill Sites to Take Small Steps Out of Poverty

Small Steps Project is a London-based humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting children and families who live on garbage dumps around the world. The mission of Small Steps is to empower children and families surviving on landfill sites to take small steps out of poverty and to inspire everyone to make a difference by taking small steps. The non-profit currently has projects in Cambodia, Laos, Nicaragua, Romania, and Timor Leste.

Through film and events, Small Steps raises awareness and money that goes directly to those who need it the most. Small Steps first delivers emergency aid, food, shoes, clothing, and other items that protect people from the immediate dangers on garbage dumps. After identifying the demographics of the site, the Small Steps team implements sustainable projects that help children get into education and adults into employment.



Small Steps Project was founded by former celebrity journalist Amy Hanson. In 2009, while working at an HIV hospice in Cambodia, she visited the Stung Meanchey Dump in Phnom Penh, where she saw hundreds of barefoot children scavenging in trash. When she asked the families living there what they needed the most, they said shoes. Without proper footwear, people were constantly suffering severe injuries on their feet.

In 2010, Small Steps launched its Celebrity Shoe Auction initiative, which has become the biggest event of its kind in the world. More than 200 celebrities have donated their shoes to the project to date, including Debbie Harry, the Rolling Stones, Dame Helen Mirren, Elton John, Natalie Portman, Madonna, Tom Hiddleston, Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Jessie J, Naomi Campbell, Vivienne Westwood, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Roger Federer, and Gerard Pique.

The Celebrity Shoe Auction is held every year in two formats: online and live. The live event usually includes a film screening and a photo exhibit, and some celebrities even auction off their own shoes. In 2013, the auction raised more than $83,000 for charity.