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 >>
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Profiles in One for One: Little Sonam receives medical treatment
Name: Sonam
Age: 2
Location: Lhasa, Tibet
Little Sonam’s grandmother described her 2-year-old grandson as a happy baby who loved to play with his family’s dog. However, over the course of a week last Winter, she noticed his demeanor change, as he became less interested in playing and his left eye was beginning to swell shut. He was in pain.
“Sonam plays with our dog all the time,” she explained. “But after he got this problem, he was struggling with opening his left eye and stopped playing as much.”
Sonam’s grandmother brought him to their local hospital in Lhasa, where they prescribed medication for an eye infection. After few days, however, his condition did not seem to be improving, so she took him on the three-hour bus ride to the Menzikhang Hospital. Supported by Giving Partner Seva Foundation and a TOMS Eyewear purchase, Sonam was given a comprehensive eye exam and diagnosed with conjunctivitis in his left eye.
He was given eye drops and ointment as treatment, free of cost. A few days later, Sonam’s eye was examined again as the infection continued to clear up. Though Sonam is just a baby, his grandmother expressed how grateful they both were for his treatment and how excited she was for them to return home to play with his furry friend.
We’re constantly reminded that with TOMS Eyewear, One for One means more than giving just prescription eyeglasses. We realize that everyone’s eye care needs are different and can also include the need for sight-saving surgeries or medical treatment for an infection like little Sonam’s.
As we gear up for World Sight Day on 10.11.12, we’re looking forward to sharing more stories of those around the world of those who have had their sight restored or treated thanks to our dedicated Giving Partners and the One for One model. To learn more about World Sight Day, click here.
