Why Ethiopia?

[Cadeisswag]

thank you

[ExJWPedo]

why do they keep screwing and producing more and more

[NcHaley]

This made me cry. D:

[TheFreesubs12]

Why can't vans or nike do this?

[krzysztofsztalt]

I don't believe that shoes can solve this problem. It's too easy. I think shoes can cause more injuries (like mycosis and all possible infections) and even if TOMS gave those people shoes, they wouldn't wear it :P

[kyokun5]

@krzysztofsztalt what makes you so convinced they wouldnt wear it? And of course shoes wouldnt solve this problem completely, but it would help more than doing absolutely nothing.

[krzysztofsztalt]

@kyokun5 I think that in countries where shoes are necessary, people make shoes themselves and wear it (like wild tribes in Namibia). They don't do this, so being barefoot must be better for them.

[pinky0960]

@mizzerooni because your giving a pair of shoes to someone that needs them(: hope this help:D

[lester5192]

IT'S NOT JUST ETHIOPIA

it's america too, blacks are just cursed people no matter where they live. they were cursed by the spirit of puzuzu with pubic hair for their head, monster colored skin, failure, wide flat noses, famine, crime, diseases. etc.

[MrPudude]

hell i am going to donate some shoes right now!!!!!!!!

[sk8ter1331]

@itunesmixer81 shut the hell up! What is your problem!? This is not the place to be advertising!! Everybody needs to stop this advertising bs on youtube!!

[ggadane]

good

[316JOHNLT]

Thank you for the work you doing one person can change the world.

[ethiopiansdope]

i reaaly appreiate the work that TOMS is doing, because i am an Ethiopian and i have many family back home which i hope they will get help and defeat the disease and help millions of people gain there walking

[lapassionshonte]

i lived in ethiopia for w hile and constantly saw people with this, didnt kn ow the name of what it was. Now I know. I am inspired to begin a project that will eradicate the the many issues that pervades ethiopian society. Thank you!

[waffiki]

Beautiful children and people under a horrible circumstances. Let God be there for them and cure them.

[safariman2000]

The people of Ethiopia have been suffering so much because of current government and the west. The Meles government doesnt care for its own people. The west thinks the Meles regime powerful enough to control the terrorist activity and maintain the needs of the west in the horn of Africa. The West has kept silent even though there is a clear evidence of human right violation in Ethiopia. Even the BBC doesnt tale the human right violation as much as reporting human right violation in Zimbabwe.

[julietswish08]

Even if he does have bunches of money off of this organization, I bet he doesn't spend it on senseless things and he probably puts most of it in what he loves doing, and what he loves doing it this, and I think Blake is a wonderful person and is very blessed.

[GeezLeeweez]

love the Toms ideal of "one for one" very inspiring...

[waycoolbecca]

wait wait wait.... this is a business? oh i didn't know since he always starts his speeches talking about his talents at entrepreneurship. Duh! he makes money, he's not a deity, he's a business man and wants you to know it. He's in the business of information, still our best defense against AIDS, and curing this disease, something that is truly being done. So no one unearthed some huge or TOM-altering statement with the fact that he makes money.

'tis a little trendy tho...

hm well much love

[zenacko1]

What have YOU guys done to make this world a better place? I bet it wasn't nearly as creative as what this guy did .. If TOMS is unethical then go buy your shoes anywhere else if it makes you feel better.most likely you will buy a pair made by some 11 year old in china or mexico. Way more ethical!! lol

[zenacko1]

....He's rich now ? Good for him ...maybe his amazing idea deserves such a reward! maybe that will encourage other people to think the same way and MAYBE someday we'll have a better world because of it . You don't see these retarded world leaders, politicians and big corporations doing stuff like this do you ?

[zenacko1]

Whether he became a millionaire or stayed poor should not change the fact that he is a CHAMPION for coming up with such a fantastic and clever idea to help underprivileged children in a way that none of you ( or i'm willing to bet at least MOST of you ) ever have and ever will .

[emmaroo78]

Interesting...I do wonder about a for-profit organization whose sole (forgive the pun) distinguishing factor is its charitable work. To be fair, I don't think nearly as many people would buy those shoes on style alone. Becoming a non-profit organization would compel it to roll all of its excess profits back into growing the organization and impacting more lives. Does it have an obligation to do so? Hm...

[CasAyOhIcidhe]

Or is it the non-philanthropic / for-profit organizations that have a greater obligation?

[FelowshipofUnashamed]

I think that this is a great way for someone to be able to give back ...

TOMS does make money, of course. But consider that they would make much more if they didn't. It is definitely not a non-profit - but it is doing charity work.

[KennilworthyWhisp]

i love TOMS. :)

[lrahel]

hey it really nice wat u doing to my people,all i want to say is GOD bless u.

[j89051]

I would like to state I left a comment on her that was meant for someone else I don't use youtube forums that much I wanted to inform wrinkledforehead that i was not commenting on what he was saying I was commenting DodgerFreaks post and sorry for the confusion

[EmbersDaddy]

Think about it for a second If they don't make profit they can't hire people to work for their company to create new great designs for their shoes If they don't keep up with trends then people aren't going to be as willing to buy them They have to make a profit to some degree to do that... Besides you need to stop whining and be thankful that there is a company even willing to do as much as they are how many nike executives do you think there are wanting to give away free shoes... i'm thnking 0

[dodgerfreak2]

It's shouldn't be about making shoes in the first place! The very fact that these people feel the need to make money from U.S. citizens is what is so disturbing in the first place. Is it a charity? Fine. Ask for money. Is it business? Fine, sell shoes. But don't mix the two, especially not in this manner. Making money by pulling at emotions is just plain wrong. Donate because you want to make a difference, not because you want a stylish pair of shoes.

[koolguy805]

its a non profit organization that owns uses the money to run its business to keep it goin and help these ppl and its not a bad idea to donate and get some nice shoes out of it kind of like a souvenir

[dodgerfreak2]

You are sadly mistaken sir. TOMS is a business, not a non-profit organization. There is a HUGE difference. They thrive off of ads like these to make money.

[EmbersDaddy]

They have made open statements that they would love for TOMs to be fully nonprofit but it just doesn't work as well that way. If you dont want to buy the shoes then dont. You can donate straight to Friends of TOMs. There are people out there that want something in return outside of just a good feeling in their heart so this is just another way TOMs makes things happen. Can you not see that this is a company that is trying to change the world for the better and not just another money hungry corp?

[dodgerfreak2]

*Cough* You're actually going to sit there and tell me they want to be non-profit? The owner is a millionaire dude.

[hethir]

This is so great. I needed to get some new boots and I saw Toms on a guy in a restaurant and loved the style. When I found out that there is a cause behind the shoes I got two.

I just got my boots today in the mail and absolutely love them. I have been waiting for two years to find a style that I liked to actually buy and I did.

I love this cause. Keep up the great work Blake!

[addylawson]

The thing is.....elephant foot is a very serious thing. If they have this, they are unable to travel to go get food and water. It proves to be very valuable for them. We are adopting from Ethiopia as well, and are collecting shoes to take over there. We are up to 100+. Shoes are a good thing...any buisness donating is better than those not.......

[dodgerfreak2]

It's wonderful they are doing something, I'm not arguing that. I ticked off that they are profiting from it.

[wrinkledforehead]

In a way, I agree with dodger. I understand what he's trying to say.

You don't need profit to keep it going. Believe me, there are tons of people out there willing to volunteer to do this. There ARE people out there who work their asses off and save up money and pay thousands of dollars to go with an organization to Africa and build schools, etc. Do they get paid for it? No. They do it cause they want to, and don't expect any materialistic reward out of it. Fortunately, people like this exist.

[wrinkledforehead]

I think it's great that TOMS is doing this. But they could be a nonprofit organization, they just choose not to. It's good they're doing SOME good, though, tnstead of none.

Look at it this way. You find a dollar. You have things you can do with that dollar.

1) You can keep that dollar

2) You can donate fifty cents of that dollar, and keep the other fifty cents.

3) You can donate the whole dollar.

TOMS is doing number 2.

I think what dodgers is saying is why 2 and not 3?

[dodgerfreak2]

Well that's definitely part of it, wrinkle. The more disturbing part to me is that this company tries to pass itself off as a cause. Obviously its working because someone commented that they thought TOMS was non-profit, which is quite laughable.

Here's the thing: they are doing something, which is more than the average Joe, sitting on his lazy boy, eating potato chips. But giving away shoes is not really going to do a whole lot for someone's health. Elephantiasis? Small potatoes folks.

[j89051]

i have a few questions for youfirst, do you wear nike?

second, do you like sean john? if neither then you can talk freely he is doing more by helping these children with shoes and now etnies with skateboards than any other person has been doing. He is not just sitting behind a desk thinking of his next vacation his travel to help these people in need is his vacation and reward. I am sorry that you feel that he is not doing much but what are you doing but talking badly about him.

[j89051]

Do you do something more special than him if so then you have a second chance to talk. If you havent had the chance to talk yet then just shut up and keep your comments to yourself. Be happy about this and just leave him alone. Go cure cancer while your at it if you think that you have the power to make miracles.

[wrinkledforehead]

Whether I do something more special than him or not is irrelevant. Considering the fact I can't PROVE it to you, so it would be a waste of time. I can easily say I use most of my free time volunteering, and any money not wasted on basic necessities is donated to charity. Can this be true? Definitely. Will you believe me? Probably not.

Also, this comment proves you don't have the right to tell me when I can talk.

As for 'keep your comments to yourself'; who invited you to this conversation?

[dodgerfreak2]

Dear sir or madam,

I am actively engaged in making a difference. No I am not a doctor, sorry I can't cure cancer. You're misunderstanding my stance. I admire the CEO (/President /whatever his title is) in some regards. I appreciate that he is making an effort, that is certainly more than a great many people on this planet. The major problem I see is that his company is out to make MONEY. It is, after all, a business, and I wish that they would not pretend to be anything else.

[dodgerfreak2]

Funny you should say that. I am. And I encourage to do the same.

[McGentryyyy]

Let me just say that i know blake mycoskie. my father works with his, they are both doctors. and for every pair they sell, they GIVE AWAY a pair of shoes. and at first, they WERE NOT making profits. only after so many pairs were sold did they start making money. and, blake ran TOMS as a business so that he wouldn't ave to rely on donated money for a source. running this as a business allows him to have a dependable source for money, and give.

[jcrules106]

So lets ignore the fact that he's a millionaire and was one prior to starting up TOMS, eh? Brilliant ignorance man, brilliant.

[McGentryyyy]

Are you trying to say he doesn't put any of his own money into helping people? And your whole "TOMS is a business, not a charity.. If they wanna donate some shoes, so be it." THAT is ignorance. Blake didn't start TOMS to make money, he started it to help provide shoes to those in need. We ALL have money we could spare to help people.. sure, not as much as he, but let's be honest, we could all give a little, but do we? most everyone, no.

[jcrules106]

So let's address the real issue here. TOMS is a business and is by definition out there to make money. Don't fool yourself. I've heard the story about Blake, and it would be moving. But you're ignoring the business factor.

Yes, we all have money that can be given away, and frankly, that's the point: don't spend your money on a pair of shoes, GIVE it away without any reservation, GIVE yourself away without reservation. At least look for a reputable organization, rather than a business.

[jcrules106]

My point is, if you're going to give, don't give because you're receiving something in return. Give because you actually care about someone's life. There are decent organizations out there that are upfront and release their information to the public, and more than that, began with a purpose to make a difference, without feeling the need to make money on the side. That's TRUE sacrifice.

[McGentryyyy]

but that's my whole point, is you are giving by buying a pair of shoes.. for every pair you buy, one is donated. and honestly, how many people are just going to give money for charity? barely any.. but do you know how many poeple have given by buying a pair of shoes? What blake is doing is getting people involved. helping people put their money into something that will help others. without these shoes, alot of the customers, including myself, wouldn't have ever donated that money.

[dodgerfreak2]

Yeah, but what's up with that attitude? Why do you have to receive something in order to give something? That's retarded! And take a look around you sir, there are hundreds of non-profit organizations that are flourishing in what they do - getting people to give without getting anything in return (except for a tax write-off). And honestly, what good are shoes if you have nothing to eat? If you have nothing to drink? Shoes are a start, I won't argue that. It's just not enough. Not nearly enough.

[Mickylife]

so KUDOS...I`m wit you guys.I`m buying

[Mickylife]

We are living in a reality were a saint is not a saint just less of an evil.

[Mickylife]

It looks more like Elephantiasis....a disease caused by Filarial worms...that distroys the lympatic vessel valves and fluid start accumulating on the lower limbs in stead of circulating.Ofcource shoes prevents that and dozens of other parasitic infestations.

[Satassss]

Reed scien articles to know what kind of shoes can protect.

[dodgerfreak2]

I am quite disgusted that TOMS is being marketed as a cause. It is a business, not a charity. The one-for-one model is wonderful, and I am ecstatic that TOMS is making an effort. But I do not appreciate that the company has chosen to exploit the emotions of it's supporters to make money. It's a business folks - that is it's purpose: to make money.

[BobMarley211]

lol

there doing it for a good cause and have good intentions tho

[dodgerfreak2]

Be that as it may, what they are doing is not right. They are pulling at the heartstrings to make money. If the for profit company that is TOMS wishes to make a difference, then they should do so by donating shoes regardless of what you the customer buys. But forcing the customer to buy a pair of shoes for 50 bucks (more or less, depending on the product) before the company will make a donation is not ethical in the least.

[BobMarley211]

you bring up a valid point

but you dont see anyone else doing something like this tho ya know?

[jcrules106]

The guy/chick above you is right. You don't see anyone else doing this because they have morals. It's not right to pass off a business as a charity.

[hanseich]

You are seeing it the wrong way. I don't think TOMS is making a killing selling the shoes. I'm pretty sure they have to watch every Penny they get, but the understand that we are so richly blessed and that they can hand on some of the money they make. Don't you feel good about buying a set of shoes by directly helping someone with the purchase? I hope more companies like these come around to make a difference!

[dodgerfreak2]

The owner is a multi-millionaire. That dude could be doing this on his own. If nothing else, run the company, and sure donate some shoes. But don't manipulate people and play with their emotions to make money. I'd like people to wake up and see just how jacked up this mess really is.

[Cinlouxx]

What's wrong with at least encouraging people to help out?.

[jcrules106]

Nothing. IF you do so without exploiting people. TOMS is a business, not a charity. If TOMS wants to donate some shoes, so be it. But they will not do so unless you choose to buy their product. That, my friend, is what is wrong with their "encouragement".

In addition, TOMS does not release their sales information to the public since they are privately owned, so there is ZERO accountability, and no way to verify that they are doing what they claim to be (in regards to the one-for-one model).

[dodgerfreak2]

Sure. Encourage until you're blue in the face. But you shouldn't be making money from it.

[alligater20]

Actually what they're doing is quite smart...they're counting on the fact that they're selling these shoes to consumers who are wealthy enough to own more than one pair of shoes. It's not that they're selfish, because they are doing essentially what any other charity does - takes money from people and gives them something in return, while giving to those in need. The best part about TOMS is that it gets the market of people who wouldn't normally go out of their way to donate to charity.

[dodgerfreak2]

Ah that's a whole new can of worms, alligator. If your intentions are impure, what's the point?

[Mickylife]

dodgerfreak2 have good point there but then again,not everything is smooth and beautiful on this planet.Atleast not in our life time.

[CiaraRunsInCircles]

wow! amazing! this vid really opened my eyes... we take our shoes for granted everyday without even realizing what a blessing they are and how privileged we should feel to own them. keep up the good work!

[mmgymcat93]

God bless TOMS shoes!