In March of 2008 I received an email that included the photo of a pair of feet wearing "plastic bottle flip flops".  There were other heart wrenching images but somehow that image struck a cord in me and I felt compelled to act.   That image haunted me for months until finally I discussed with my Mother my desire to make a difference.   She encouraged me to start the non-profit organization that I had been thinking and talking about for years.  I then pledged  to myself to collect one (1) million pairs of shoes and distribute them to the underprivileged children and adults in Africa.

So with that, The ASHÉ Foundation was born.  ASHÉ, also spelled "Ase", "Axe" or "Ache", is a Yoruba word which means "the power to make things happen". Depending on the context in which the word is used it also means,  "the ability to make whatever statement you make come to pass or happen", "the ability to compel nature, animate or inanimate objects to bend to your will", "so be it", or "so it shall be". 

The ASHÉ Foundation is dedicated to serving the needs of the underprivileged of African nations. Our current goal is to collect one (1) million pairs of new and gently worn shoes and other items so that we can deliver them to those most in need throughout the African continent.

Astoundingly, there are 1.7 million orphans in South Africa alone, and 99.8% were orphaned by parents who have died from AIDS.  Sadly, there are countless other children whose parents are still alive but are not able to care for or feed them, let alone put shoes on their on feet.

We urge you to help our foundation put shoes on the feet of so many in need, especially the millions of children in Africa who suffer daily from the devastating effects caused by HIV/AIDS.  We will be embarking on our second of many trips to Africa in early 2010.  The first stops on our world-changing mission will be South Africa and Mozambique.  This trip will ensure that the items we collect will be delivered to the intended recipients.  With your help we will accomplish our goal and much more and have a larger impact on the world.

http://www.theashefoundation.org/