Hey Friends
This first picture is me. I colored my hair. It looks pretty rad. I wish you could see in this picture that black that is hidden in the back. My hair is getting super long (comparatively). I am thinking that I will wait until the summer to cut it short again. I did take this picture myself so it does have a 'myspace' feel to it.
In other news, I bought new shoes. My chacos are just not cutting the mustard. Utah is cold and therefore I need shoes that will protect my feet from the cold. The shoes I bought do not fulfill that function. I mean they will be good when it is not raining or snowing, but its utah so there will be snow. But after doing some research, I really wanted these shoes. Have you ever heard of Toms Shoes? Well, for every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. So... thats cool. Although, it sounds great, is it? Who are they giving these shoes to? Well it said the last shoe drop was in South Africa and Argentina. Is that just relief? And is is justified or is it creating a dependcy on something that can not always be provided. Are they putting local shoe companies out of work? AND, they were made in China and not that China products are faulty but how are they insuring that the laborers are being paid competitive wages and the workings conditions are humane? That is what I spend my days thinking about.
In other news, I may go to Cambridge (that is in england) this summer and then go to India to do an internship. I am unsure about the exact plans.
Last week, I went to a Mountain Goats concert AND a Fleet Fo
xes concert, AMAZING.
Friday, October 24, 2008
I like you too much after too little time
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I like your second paragraph (also, your hair, but I haven't thought as much about hair as I have about humanitarian aid). My dad once recommended a book to me entitled Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered.
The author points out some of the same problems you've just pointed out: 1. Does it create a dependency? 2. Does it put local companies out of business? Reading that book (and living in Africa) has made me rethink the throw-money-at-poor-people approach to humanitarian aid. It probably does help some, but it's the least effective kind of help you can give.
He also examines the aid-practice of "teaching a man to fish," and points out that if the man can only buy fishing lures from you, he will not, in fact, eat forever. He has become dependent.
Good thoughts; thanks, Syd.
Sydney! I love your hair; it looks fantastic! And I can't believe that you are thinking about going back to India! Isn't it like the toughest country ever? What ever you decide I'm sure it will be great.
TOMS last shoe drop was actually here in the States - in the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
Hey Vivian
Thanks for posting about TOMS. Just thought I'd follow up on a few of your questions.
The awesome thing about TOMS is that the One for One business model serves as a sustainable way of giving. We return to the same communities to provide new shoes- the kids' feet grow, their TOMS get worn, etc. We actually have volunteers going to Argentina twice a month (friendsoftoms.org)!
TOMS goal is to make or purchase give-away shoes in the countries where we are giving shoes.
Our shoes that are sold at retail are made in China- and we require that factories operate in fair labor conditions and pay fair wages.
And as eye4style mentioned, our most recent Shoe Drop was in Gulfport, Mississippi. This week we are giving shoes in Orlando, FL and Booneville, KY as well. You can read our blog at tomsshoesblog.com to see pics and read Blake's post about it.
If you have any other questions, please shoot me an email!
Caitlin
caitlin@tomsshoes.com
The question is, how did you find out that I wrote about TOMS...
yes, that picture is a little myspace-ey. what are you going to do.
toms shoes is lame. i'll get you 30 pairs of alpargatas (those shoes) in argentina for the same price you paid for your one pair of toms. so you can have a pair and give 29 away. and that way you're supporting local argentine craftspeople.
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