Businesses Creating Products that Truly Serve the Poor

This is one of those things that makes me smile. I love innovation that really makes people's lives better.

Here's an invention that will alleviate suffering for so many children. It's a shoe released by Because International that can span 5 different shoe sizes.

Remember being a kid and your feet growing so quickly that shoes that were still quite solid could no longer be worn, simply because they were now too small for your feet? Well imagine if you could have gone up 5 shoe sizes without needing to replace those shoes. This is crucial for a poor family.

"The Shoe That Grows was invented in 2007 in Kenya after Kenton Lee spotted a girl with shoes too small for her feet. He started the project in the US and perfected the shoe in 2012, which is now produced in China and Ethiopia.

So far Because International has distributed over 120,000 pairs in 91 countries. "Because International" partners with other organisations to distribute the shoes or ask people travelling to poor areas to take them along and distribute themselves. A pair costs £11 ($15)."

This is one of my favorite things I've seen this week. Are there any really cool inventions you've come across lately that just make you smile and feel that maybe people are fundamentally good?