For every country that Share Your Soles returns from we are going to create a short film/documentary to educate people in the US on the plights of those living in third and fourth world countries. Here is our first...

There is a crisis on the ground in rural Kenya, and you can help. Children are dying from foot infections caused by jigger infestation. Jiggers are a kind of parasitic flea that enters the skin and reproduces so the children can't walk. The pain and debilitating effects of the inflammation is incredible. It often leads to infection and a slow death. It's a truly horrible situation, and what's more it is 100% preventable. You can prevent this from happening to a child quite easily by donating a pair of Crocs (or Croc-like shoes)--you know, those popular plastic garden shoes.

I am writing to you now with the sad news that our dear friend Elsa Bandi has passed on. It is almost impossible to express how much Elsa meant to Share Your Soles-and to me personally. She was treasurer and strong supporter of Share Your Soles, but more than that. She was my friend, my mentor, my confidante. Elsa was like a mother to me, and I loved her.

It all started about five years ago, when we met by chance (or fate) during a flight home from Florida. Elsa was returning from vacation, and I was coming back from Haiti. I remember, I was sick as a dog that flight, but Elsa struck up a conversation with me, and it was an instant love affair. She saw the passion I had for Share Your Soles and this sparked a desire in her to help. We began working closely together. As her involvement grew with Share Your Soles, our personal attachment deepened. Elsa became a second mom to me, and, of course, I became a member of her and Fred's family. It was a package deal.