A Day without Shoes

One Day Without Shoes is a global event designed to encourage people to go barefoot for a day to draw attention to the plight of children in developing nations who face injury, illness and missed opportunity because they don't have adequate protection.

This is the second year Microsoft has been involved in the One Day Without Shoes Campaign. Microsoft is encouraging employees to take part, and MSN will purchase 1000 pairs of shoes to help TOMS provide shoes to children in need. To see pictures of people participating, or to post your own picture of yourself in bare feet to support the effort, visit MSN's special site here: http://on-msn.com/eXHngq.

Hundreds of thousands of people plan to take off their shoes on April 5, and will show up at work, school and elsewhere. Organizers hope the bare feet will spark conversations about the risks these needy kids face.

TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie says that not having shoes puts kids at a heightened risk of injury, disease and infection. Among the soil-transmitted risks that most can't afford to prevent and treat are:

* Hookworm: Causes anemia, stunted physical and mental development and, on occasion, congestive heart failure. Affects up to one-fifth of the world's population.
* Podoconiosis or "mossy foot disease": Causes swelling of the feet and legs due to prolonged exposure to certain types of irritant soil.
* Chiggers: Bites on the feet and ankles from these mites can cause severe itching and hives.
* Tetanus: Potentially fatal infectious disease caused by bacteria entering the body through cuts or other open wounds. Causes painful muscle spasms and locked jaw.

In addition, many schools in rural developing nations require students to have shoes to attend schools, so not having shoes is a roadblock to opportunity.