Shoeman Water Projects

Shoeman Water Projects is a non-profit organization that collects shoes - any kind, new or used - and turns them into clean water. Founded in 1994, our mission is to alleviate as much human suffering in the world as we can and enjoy the ride. We do this by collecting used shoes, exporting them to street vendors in places like South America, Haiti and Kenya. The vendors are able to build their businesses and people without shoes can purchase them at affordable prices - sometime for pennies on the dollar. The funds we receive from exporting shoes are used to support clean water programs in communities around the world. As of January 2012, we estimate that we have kept more than 3 million pairs of shoes out of landfills and provided clean water to more than 210,000 people in Kenya, Haiti and other countries. Our clean water programs consist of purchasing and installing repair kits for hand pumps, water purification systems and well-drilling rigs that can drill up to 30 wells per year. Our current fundraising efforts are for a 2014 Water Trip to Kenya and a well-drilling rig that will go more than 1,000 feet deep - enough to cut through the granite in Kenya keeping people from clean water. We partner with individuals, schools, churches, Vacation Bible Schools, Scout Troops, businesses and civic organizations to collect shoes. If you would like to host a shoe drive, visit www.shoemanwater.org and click on "Request a Shoe Drive Kit." Our team will send you a kit to get started!