Over my two weeks with Sheltering Wings (SW) this August I had the fantastic opportunity to volunteer in three TOMS Shoes distributions. I loved the opportunity to see TOMS on the ground and the whole time I was taking in all the information I could. As a 'TOMS wearer' I wanted to know if I would continue buying TOMS after seeing the 'flip side'.
I am well aware of the criticism TOMS has come under in recent years, including being termed 'one of the worst development ideas ever'. And I get it. I have some critiques of my own to offer, and questions of my own to ask about TOMS, but let's be honest too. A lot of us have critiques based on what we've heard, or what we think, but most of us haven't actually done the research to know anything about TOMS policies or what their efforts look like on the ground.
So I took this as my chance to do my own 'investigation'. Over the past two weeks I have had many conversations about TOMS with internationals, and Burkinabé. In all of these conversations I asked about their general impressions of TOMS, presented some of the critiques, and asked their thoughts on the critiques. There were, of course, some common themes. Here's a glance:
Reasons for buyingToms
Does it matter why people buy TOMS? Do the good intentions make buying them okay? Should they not buy TOMS because of the flaws in the 'One for One' model?
When I asked this question to a Burkinabé friend he simply asked: "Do you like them? I'm going to buy shoes I like."
I then suggested hypothetically you could have shoes you liked equally but one is 'One for One' and the other isn't. His question back: "is there harm in choosing something that may help another person?"
TOMS & Sustainability
A lot of the critiques of TOMS comes from the fact that it's aid not development. What do you think? How should it be done?
The suggestion: isn't aid a temporary solution while the long-term solution is being identified? Does that disqualify the aid? How many people will buy shoes vs how many would actually put in the work to get a long-term solution?
Lots of questions there. I personally think that's a hefty question to boil down to a simple answer, but I do think the response should factor into the discussion. When I asked about what the villages need most that would contribute in the long-term: increased food security initiatives in villages.
Other things to take into consideration when asking this question is about the TOMS model. TOMS isn't 'helicoptering' in shoes. Instead, they partner with local NGOs (giving partners)
TOMS & the Economy
Do you think TOMS is going to negatively affect the economy? Are local shoe vendors being negatively impacted?
This question came with many different responses, but none of them affirmed fears about the local economy. Some suggested shoes are primarily being distributed in villages where many children aren't wearing footwear regularly and their families aren't buying footwear. Others suggested many of the children are saving their shoes as school shoes, or "good" footwear, and day-to-day will continue wear the flip flops their family can purchase locally. This last argument seemed valid as most children chose to carry their shoes home from the distribution for fear of getting them muddy on the way home.
Wouldn't it be better for TOMS to build a factory here and employ local labourers?
This question was perhaps the most fascinating to me. The response was in essence: sure, in theory. However, the vast majority of shoes are being distributed in villages far removed from anywhere a factory would be constructed. Most of the families in these villages are subsistence farmers, and building a factory would have no impact on their day to day life. So then, the question was posed: is it bad to help these families?
An interesting thing to note is that TOMS often does create local employment through their in-country giving partners.
TOMS Shoe Quality
What do you think of your shoes? Will they last here? Are they durable?
We ask this question of our TOMS at home. I wore the same pair of TOMS for more than 2 years before I couldn't wear them anymore, which to me is acceptable, but I was curious what people thought here.
I asked one friend what he thought about his shoes and he commented on how nice they are to wear - 'like wearing air'. When asked if the shoes would last here most everyone said they were good shoes. Admittedly, this question would be better asked a couple months down the road.
One thing I can attest to is that the TOMS shoes being distributed are not identical to the shoes we purchase. Typically they are black (the colour most accepted for school uniforms, although TOMS will send another colour if requested). And the sole is much thicker (check out my photos!). The stitching looks a little different & the fabrics (or just the lining?) may be different, but all in all they're TOMS.
Another thing to know is TOMS ships regularly to their giving partners (dependent on their needs) so kids who are outgrowing their shoes receive a new pair that fits.
Critique vs. Action
The question asked of me: those who critique TOMS shoes, what do they propose? Suggesting it is okay to critique, if you are willing to act on your critique and work towards something better.
It was also then suggested that many of the 'long term' development initiatives are plagued by issues of corruption and the work they are supposed to be doing isn't happening on the ground. Isn't it then, the argument continues, good to support something where the intentions are actually being realized? TOMS shoes are on the ground, getting to the people, isn't that what they are supposed to be doing?
And Then
Finally, my favourite comment in all of these discussions came from a wise Burkinabé man and local leader. He said: 'I am a firm believer that in all things there are advantages & disadvantages. There is nothing that is without flaw.'
And so, it all boils down to this: the thing about TOMS. TOMS isn't perfect. Maybe though, that doesn't disqualify them. It's up to you to decide for yourself. As for me, after what I've seen and heard, despite some reservations, I'll continue wearing them.
***This discussion represents my own opinions and personal conversations. In no way does this represent Sheltering Wings or TOMS.
I am currently immersed in paper writing about my internship in Ghana. And simultaneously struggling to sum up all that my internship held. Development, NGOs, cleft palate surgery, program development, Ghana, Burkina, elsewhere. It's been...a summer.
