One Pair of Shoes Changed His Life. Now He's Helping Change the World.

When Manny Ohonme was nine years old, he sold water and soda on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. He walked barefoot, like many children in his community. One unexpected moment changed everything.

Today, that same boy leads a global movement that has provided almost 12 million pairs of shoes to people in need across 113 countries through Samaritan’s Feet International.

What began with one pair of shoes has grown into a humanitarian mission, a global foot health movement, and now a social enterprise designed to create lasting impact for generations to come.

Samaritan’s Feet distributes shoes primarily to children, adults and seniors, many living below the poverty line. And the need is enormous. Manny Ohonme estimates that more than 600 million people in the world do not own a pair of shoes. And it’s not just a matter of comfort. It’s a matter of health, education, and a path out of poverty.

And it all started with the kind of story you usually only find in fairy tales.

As a child, Manny spent his days selling drinks to help support his family. One day, while working in a local park, he noticed missionaries teaching children how to play basketball.

That event changed the entire course of his life.

Manny started going to the park as often as he could, after spending hours working on the streets. The basketball games quickly became more than just a pastime for him. They became a hope for a different life. Over time, he got the opportunity to train more and develop his skills.

“One day, after I finished high school, I went to my coach and said: ‘Coach, I would love to go to America to play basketball.'”

The coach promised that he would write him a letter of recommendation if he applied to one of the schools the coach recommended. Manny applied and got in. To all of them — even without the letter of recommendation from his coach. His talent opened doors that had previously seemed completely closed.

Years later, after returning to Nigeria for his father’s funeral, he revisited the same park where his story began.

The Birth of Samaritan’s Feet

That became the catalyst for Samaritan’s Feet International. A global NGO with a vision to improve foot health and inspire hope through the gift of shoes while washing each recipients feet to teach hygiene and model Servant Leadership, with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to pursue their dreams.

In 2003, Manny and his wife, Tracie, embarked on their first major shoe distribution mission to South Africa, bringing 1,000 pairs of shoes.

After every pair had been distributed, thousands more people remained waiting.

“Parents were lifting children over fences hoping they would receive a pair,” Manny recalls. “That’s when we realized the need was far greater than we imagined.”

Today, Samaritan’s Feet has distributed almost 12 million pairs of shoes while providing foot washing, health education, and messages of hope around the world.

The organization’s work extends far beyond footwear.

Shoes help protect against cuts, infections, parasites, and diseases that enter through the feet. They improve school attendance, increase confidence, and create opportunities for children and families to thrive.

For many children around the world, a pair of shoes is often the difference between attending school and staying home.

From Charity to Sustainability: A Bigger Vision

As Samaritan’s Feet continued to grow, a new question emerged:

What if we could do more than distribute shoes?

What if we could create jobs, strengthen local economies, and manufacture affordable footwear in the communities we serve?

That question inspired the creation of The World Shoe.

Built on lessons learned through decades of humanitarian work, The World Shoe represents the next evolution of the mission—a social enterprise dedicated to producing durable, affordable, health-focused footwear while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

With manufacturing operations in Ghana and plans for continued expansion, The World Shoe is helping build local employment while increasing access to footwear for vulnerable communities.

Designed specifically for the rugged terrain of developing regions, the shoe is lightweight, durable, antibacterial, slip-resistant, protective against many environmental hazards, and environmentally conscious.

Every purchase helps support both humanitarian impact and economic empowerment.

Recognized by Global Foot Health Leaders

A major milestone in this journey came when The World Shoe received the prestigious FIP Seal from the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP).

The FIP Seal signifies that a product has been evaluated for its contribution to foot health and aligns with internationally recognized podiatric standards.

This recognition validates years of intentional design focused on protecting feet, improving mobility, and supporting overall health.

Foot health is often overlooked, yet it directly impacts education, employment, physical activity, and quality of life.

Receiving the FIP Seal demonstrates that footwear can be both practical and medically relevant in helping communities stay healthy and active.

Adding to this momentum, Samaritan’s Feet International has been named an official charity partner of FIP, creating new opportunities to advance foot health initiatives around the world.

One Pair at a Time

Today, Samaritan’s Feet operates with staff, volunteers, and partners across the globe, impacting millions of lives every year.

Yet the mission remains rooted in the same simple truth that changed a young boy’s life in Nigeria decades ago: One pair of shoes can create opportunity.

One pair of shoes can improve health.

One pair of shoes can restore dignity.

One pair of shoes can change a life.

And together, millions of pairs can change the world.

Join Us 

There are many ways for the community to get involved. Whether through volunteering at an upcoming distribution, supporting our mission financially, or spreading the word. Every action helps us give more people the care and compassion they deserve.

If you are interested in supporting our efforts, visit www.samaritansfeet.org/GetInvolved to learn more.