I’m barefoot as I type… well, I usually am whilst at the computer for long hours, but that’s my choice.

Millions of children around the world grow up without shoes, at risk of infection and disease. Today, TOMS Shoes nudges the world to go without shoes with its annual One Day Without Shoes event to raise awareness of the impact of not having shoes to wear plays on a child’s life.

Watch the video:

“The problem is large but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil, " says TOMS’ Founder and Chief Shoe Giver Blake Mycoskie. "By imagining a life without shoes, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions." TOMS Shoes, matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need.

If you missed the One Day Without Shoes event, it’s always the right time to show compassion and chose Toms Shoes:

Photo of Maria, age 10 In Guatamala via TOMS