TOMS Shoes Selects Heart for Africa as Giving Partner in Swaziland

TOMS Shoes has chosen Atlanta-based Heart for Africa to be a Giving Partner in Swaziland, Africa, to give away TOMS Shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in rural communities.

TOMS Shoes "One for One?" program gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes that is purchased. This partnership is a long-term endeavor with the plan to ship a new container every six months as needed. The TOMS Shoes program is designed so children wear their new shoes knowing another pair will be coming when they outgrow or wear out their first pair.

Heart for Africa focuses on bringing hope to the Kingdom of Swaziland by focusing on initiatives in the areas of hunger, orphans, poverty and education.  In 2009 Heart for Africa purchased a 2,500 acre farm called Project Canaan that is being developed to grow large amounts of food and provide training and employment for some of the country's 70% unemployed.  Project Canaan will be home to hundreds of orphans as it becomes self-sustainable.  Heart for Africa also works alongside local leaders in rural communities to help provide food and clothing for orphans and vulnerable children in desperate need of assistance.  TOMS Shoes will be distributed by Heart for Africa volunteers in the farthest rural communities, to the communities around Project Canaan, as well as the orphanages whom they partner with.

Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. The virus has ravaged the adult and young adult population of the tiny kingdom (about the size of New Jersey) reducing the population from 1.1 million in 2005 to an estimated 950,000 in 2010.  More significantly, the government estimates there are more than 500,000 orphaned or vulnerable children in the country. The TOMS Shoes model fits perfectly with Heart for Africa's plans of support by delivering the basic necessities – food, water, clothing and shoes.  The container of TOMS Shoes arrived at Project Canaan on January 4th, 2012 and distribution will begin immediately.  All Heart for Africa volunteers serving in Swaziland in 2012 will be a part of TOMS Shoes distribution.