GUYANA Medical Relief Inc. (GMR) has, over the past four weeks, distributed thousands of new shoes to children in most of the Administrative Regions.
Disbursement of the largess is due to its partnership with TOMS of America. GMR is a charitable organisation based in Los Angeles, California, made up of a group of concerned Guyanese committed to providing much needed medical equipment and supplies to public and private hospitals in this country.
Chief Operating Officer of GMR, Sharir Chan thanked TOMS for the gifts and expressed his anticipation of the next shipment.
TOMS makes a commitment to give every six months to ensure that children’s feet are protected with well-fitting footwear as they grow.
Blake Mycoskie, an entrepreneur from Arlington, Texas, also in the United States (U.S.) founded TOMS in 2006. While travelling in Argentina, he befriended children who did not have shoes to protect their feet and wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need.
He said: “I was so overwhelmed by the spirit of the South American people, especially those who had so little. And I was instantly struck with the desire, the responsibility to do more.”
During its first year in business, TOMS sold 10,000 pairs of shoes. Blake returned to Argentina later that year with family and friends and gave back to the children who had first inspired him.
Two million pairs
Thanks to its great customer base, TOMS has now given more than two million pairs of new shoes to children and the company now gives in some 40 countries and partners with charitable organisations that incorporate new shoes into a variety of programmes, including health, education, hygiene and  community development initiatives.
TOMS Giving Partners (GPs) are made up of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), charities and non-profit groupings that are established in their countries and familiar with the needs of their communities. It is the expertise of GPs that helps TOMS to give responsibly and sustainably. Furthermore, TOMS commits to their GPs for the long term, providing new shoes for children every six months so that children have access to well-fitting shoes as they grow.
The GMR and TOMS partnership began about a year and a half ago. Thousands of shoes have been distributed in all Administrative Regions, save Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) but Chan is excited for the replenishment shipment that TOMS will send in six months to all the regions that previously received and he assured that Region 9 will benefit from it.