Can Shoes End Poverty? The Ingenious Expandable Sandal

Sometimes, the simplest inventions are the most brilliant. Such is the case with this invention - an expandable sandal that can be worn for the next five years (provided it's taken care of and doesn't tear or get damaged, of course). The inventor of this 'economical' and ingenious sandal is Kenton Lee, who aimed to contribute something meaningful for many children and adults walking barefoot, due to dire poverty. 

This is a relatively simple sandal, adjustable with leather straps and snap buttons (or whatever they're called). As shown in the image, the middle strap of the sandal can be customized, allowing a choice of the desired size. 

"There are over 300 million children without shoes," explains Lee, "Not to mention children whose shoes don't fit their feet. This situation causes injuries, sometimes severe ones, to children's feet. We’re trying to prevent this as much as we can," he concludes. 

Watch the explanatory video:

The expandable sandal

Sandal inventor: Kenton Lee

How the sandal expands to fit the foot