Courtesy of Cynthia Tecson

Students wear them every day. Some use them as accessories, others will buy designer brands and most never leave the house without them. An everyday, basic addition to treading campus hallways, shuffling across floors at work and running on hard cement, many could not imagine life without shoes. But for many children who were not born in developed regions such as the U.S., they must pace the walks of life shoeless.

Many are unable to attend school barefoot, at the risk of contracting diseases, and must walk miles to seek basic necessities such as medical help, food and water.

San Diego State, as well as campuses and communities across the world, were challenged by TOMS Shoes to take a step out of their small worlds to experience what it’s like to live as many children do every day. About a quarter of a million people around the world pledged to go barefoot for the “One Day Without Shoes” event last Thursday, including many SDSU students who were inspired by the cause.

International security and conflict resolution freshman Leah Iracleous was one of many students who decided to take part in the event.

“We are spoiled here in America,” Iracleous said. “No one is barefoot here. I feel a little connection to them in a way now. It’s nice to take away luxuries sometimes; it makes you see more to life and what to be grateful for.”

Iracleous started walking barefoot in the morning and said she would try to continue throughout the day, even while attending work. She, more than most, knows the potential effects and risks of walking without shoes. Her dad contracted a virus in Africa through his foot while walking barefoot. He nearly died when the virus travelled from his foot to his stomach. Many others who live without shoes on a regular basis are also at risk of catching diseases.

Social science freshman Lisa Yim also vowed to walk sans footwear and said she could not imagine what it would be like to do so on a regular basis.

“We are so blessed to have the things we do,” Yim said. “And the fact that we can go one day without shoes is such a small thing that other people have to go through every day.”

Yim said she is planning to join the Peace Corps and wanted to get a preview of what she may be encountering while abroad.

“It’s also something I wanted to do for myself,” she said. “I mean, who could actually say they have gone 24 hours without shoes just to have a sneak peak of what others go through in their life.”

Political science senior Lauren Eccker, the SDSU campus representative for TOMS shoes, partnered with the campus Health Expo to coordinate the event. Participants collectively walked around campus and painted their feet to showcase their involvement.

“I’m actually surprised that SDSU students have been so supportive,” Eccker said. “As a college student, we’re getting educated on what’s going on in the world and … it’s important to do something about what you’re learning about. This is a simple way to be really involved in making a positive change.”

The founder of TOMS Shoes, Blake Mycoskie, was inspired to create the One for One movement when he traveled the world to find Argentine children without shoes to protect their feet. Every shoe sold by TOMS would prompt another pair to be donated to regions in need of shoes including Ethiopia, Argentina and South Africa, according to Eccker.

For those who did not participate in the nationwide event last Thursday, there are many other ways to support the cause. Students can join the student organization TOMS SDSU, apply for spring, summer and fall internships at TOMS Shoes headquarters in Santa Monica or simply buy a pair of TOMS Shoes to contribute to worldwide donations.