TOMS Blog

Inspired by the TOMS Way

Here at TOMS HQ, we’re surrounded by people driven to “be the change,” both on their TOMS projects and beyond. Caroline, on the TOMS Retail Marketing team, shares how her time at TOMS has inspired her to give back in Nicaragua.

Like a lot of people, I have dreams of traveling the world, and on the list of whereabouts I’m headed are lots of country names.

But because my mom are grandma are Nicaraguan, I’d always considered Nicaragua high up there in priority, as I had always wanted to see, smell and experience the places where they were raised.  

When I found out I would be traveling to El Salvador for my Giving Trip with TOMS — the most amazing reward for a year’s work furthering the One for One movement — I knew that Nicaragua was a very short flight from there, and that it might be time to cross something exciting off that life laundry list. This would be the perfect opportunity to make my dream come true. 

I knew my experience giving shoes in El Salvador with Save the Children would be impactful and lend tangible meaning to my work, and that was exactly true. I’ll never forget the feeling of placing shoes on a child’s feet… and then playing tag with them for hours afterwards, in between learning how the relationship between TOMS and the Giving Partner that delivers the One for One promise adds value to a program that will help each of the children I met.

And when that Giving Trip came to a close, I was proud of the pre-trip planning phase that led me to be sure my time in Nicaragua would have meaning and purpose, too. After the joy I experienced as part of the TOMS Giving side in El Salvador, I was off to bring give and receive some of this happiness over to and from the people I’d meet in Nicaragua as well. I’d give back to the community that my mom and grandma were a part of, and more than anything, I’d travel with purpose.

Prior to my Giving Trip and after lots of research, I found an amazing non-profit, El Porvenir, that works to bring clean water and sanitation to rural ares of Nicaragua. While I’d be there, they would need help raising funds to bring some new latrines and washing stations to to a small school in El Jobo, Nicaragua. 

Thanks to my friends and family who donated to the cause, we were able to make this happen! When I landed in Nicaragua, I jumped right into a 4x4 offroading vehicle and headed straight to the school where these were built. When we pulled up, I saw a small, dusty school, but with sparkly new latrines and a washing station! The children were so excited and happy to be able to use a clean bathroom and have a place to wash their hands. It really was the my dream come true, right there before me!!!

Working at TOMS has inspired me to do more than just travel the world, it’s inspired me to travel with purpose and meaning. I’m already planning my next trip! Stay tuned!