José's new view of the world around him, Guatemala

Special-edition, Congolese-inspired TOMS Shoes

We're teaming up with Giving Partner Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), an advocacy and grant-making organization founded by Ben Affleck, on two Congolese-inspired designs with an additional give. Read More >>

TOMS x charity: water - An Eyewer collaboration

TOMS and charity: water, an organization founded in 2006 (like TOMS!) that’s dedicated to to helping bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations, join forces for the first-ever TOMS Eyewear collab! Read More >>

Giving TOMS Shoes in the DRC

Founded by Ben Affleck in 2010, ECI is an advocacy and grant-making organization that works with and for the people of DRC, the third most populous country in Africa, and one that struggled under a cycle of violence for nearly 20 years – particularly in the east. Read More >>

Category:

Share This Story!

José’s new view of the world around him, Guatemala

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Giving //

Tags:

Fifteen-year-old José’s story of sight-saving surgeries that set him on track for an education and a path he’s so pumped to pursue reminds us of the impact One for One can have on an individual, person-to-person level.

Because someone purchased a pair of TOMS Eyewear, this (amazing) young man, who had been blind since the age of 6, is taking advantage of an opportunity that didn’t exist for him prior to his two cataract procedures. That is why we feel so compelled to continue to build this movement and share the stories that make it come alive.

After the staff at Visualiza Eye Care Center, a TOMS Sight-Giving Partner in Guatemala, provided the care José needed in order to see again, they heard from José his excitement and joy to return to school, in hopes of one day becoming a doctor. Since his surgeries, he’s been making it happen.

José is in school and taking in the sights around his hometown, sights he captured with a camera we provided him, and now can share with you. Check out these images of this rad student, his recent visits, schoolwork, and his friends and family: