Photo illustration by Michael Uribes

When some students woke up last Tuesday morning and headed out the door for school, they slipped on their comfy sandals. Others were not so lucky, and instead walked through dirt, gravel and filth with nothing on their feet but cuts, sores and diseases.

The person seated in front of you in class exposed their dirty, stinky feet on April 5 not because they couldn’t afford a pair of shoes, but because they wanted to show their support for those who can’t.

The movement, hosted by the TOMS campus club, gathered students around the Free Speech Area for stickers, $5 off coupons for TOMS shoes and encouraged passersby to strip off their soles.

“We’re taking them off so kids don’t have to,” Spanish major and TOMS club member Sal Lucatero said. “We want to bring awareness to people about the kids in countries who don’t have shoes.”

The event prompted students to join their fellow peers and remove their shoes for a good cause.

Andres Sviercovich decided to participate in the event because he was inspired by those around him, and the good deed they were trying to accomplish.

“As an international student from Ecuador, it’s very cool to me that Americans are conscious about other countries,” Sviercovich said.

The event that took place on Fresno State’s campus was also held at many other campuses throughout California such as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and California State University, Sacramento.

Inspired by the TOMS One for One Movement, the event allowed students to get a first-hand look at what life without shoes is like.

“For one day out of the year, we can bring awareness about kids in countries who don’t have shoes,” Lucatero said.

The One for One Movement, according to the TOMS website means that “With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.”

Nancy Lopez, a deaf studies major and president of the TOMS campus club, said that she had been interested in the One for One Movement since she first heard about it.

“Since I knew about TOMS I was intrigued by the humane idea of doing something for those in need,” Lopez said. “The awesome cause of the One for One Movement is just something that one cannot overlook.”

Students in countries such as Argentina, Uganda and South Africa don’t have shoes to wear on a daily basis, so their feet become infected and many children do not survive.

Children without shoes in these countries can suffer from hookworm disease and many other parasitic infections.

“We take our shoes and feet for granted,” recreation major Daniela Gonzalez said.

The TOMS One for One Movement has not only caught the eye of students. Companies such as Ralph Lauren and Element Skateboards have also chosen to participate in the movement. At the Indigo Skate Camp in South Africa, a child will receive an Element skateboard every time one is purchased in the United States.

With the movement gaining more momentum, more people are choosing to go bare.

“Here for us it’s just a day,” Gonzalez said. “But for others ”” it’s their life.”