Because International: Measuring the Impact of The Shoe That Grows

1. The Challenge

Shoes are a simple yet vital resource for children, but measuring their true impact in low-resource communities is difficult. Because International wanted to know whether their shoe program was making a long-term difference for children and families, and how it fit into the wider context of poverty-related challenges like hunger, school fees, and health risks.

2. The Solution

During a recent field visit in Kenya, Because International partnered with Simba to design surveys modeled partly on the Multidimensional Poverty Index. Surveys gathered input from teachers, students, and partner organizations - both in communities that had received shoes and those that had not. Using WhatsApp for data collection and Simba’s AI for analysis, the team was able to capture candid feedback at scale and identify differences in perspective across groups.

3. The Outcome

The analysis revealed that poverty, hunger, and school fees remain the most significant barriers to education, but that shoes address both physical and social obstacles. Teachers and partners who had observed the program firsthand reported improvements in children’s attendance (~50%), confidence and dignity (~65%), and protection from disease and injury (~75%). Students without shoes highlighted hopes for greater belonging and inclusion. Across audiences, shoes were recognized as a meaningful intervention, alleviating burdens for families, boosting morale, and enhancing school participation - even as larger systemic challenges persist.

Because International uses Simba to measure the impact of The Shoe That Grows in Kenya, finding that shoes improve attendance, dignity, and protection - while also revealing the broader challenges children face.