So They Will Thirst No More...

 

Have you guys heard of IX shoes? Every pair bought goes towards giving the people of Guatemala safe drinking water. Something I definitely take for granted. The thought of children having to drink water that would make them sick is saddening.

 

About Ix

STORY OF IX

Francesca & John Kennedy founded Ix Style (pronouned "eeks").  Their parents and family are originally from Guatemala. Throughout their lives, Francesca & John were always troubled by the poverty, violence, and lack of education plaguing Guatemala.

On a flight to visit her grandfather in Guatemala, Francesca read Start Something that Matters by TOM's founder Blake Mycoskie.  On that trip, she saw children drinking polluted water (see below) in Lake Atitlan & she knew she had to help.

Inspired by beautiful Mayan textiles & leather craftsmanship, Ix was created.

LAKE ATITLAN

 

Francesca & John spent their summers as kids in Panajachel swimming in the once beautiful waters of Lake Atitlan. Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World once described it as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Over the years, it's been home to many artists & intellectuals: Ingrid Bergman (Casa Blanca), Antoine de Saint-Exupery (author of Little Prince), writer Simone de Beauvoir, poet Louis de Aragon, & Nobel Laureate & poet Pablo Neruda.

The lake is no longer what it was once was. Years of pollution have created toxic blue green algae. It has negatively affected local tourism, commerce & the basic need for clean drinking water. Often children have little choice but to drink and bathe in the toxic water.

 

MISSION

To provide clean drinking water to children in Guatemala. By buying one pair, you help build a clean drinking water project for children in Guatemala.

Children who normally would walk miles a day to collect water can instead spend that time in school.  Education is the single most effective way to break the cycle of poverty.

 

WHAT DOES IX MEAN?

• Ix is a calendar day from the Tzolkin Mayan calendar. It means water & jaguar.
• Below is a Mayan hieroglyph for the symbol "Ix", which inspired our logo! Get the three dots in our logo now?

ARTISANS

Our artisans are part of a collective of 26 groups that total over 800 women!  A woman typically invests 90% of her income back into her community, compared with only 30-40% for men.

The love & care that goes into each pair are felt by everyone who wears them. All Ix shoes are carefully handmade by artisans who put their heart and their traditions into each and every pair.

 

Artisans at work

 

WHY WATER?

• Unsafe water and lack of sanitation cause more deaths each year than all forms of violence, including war.
• Diarrheal disease is the most common illness on the planet and most cases are a direct result of contaminated drinking water or poor sanitation.
• A local clean water supply frees up time for both children and adults. Many residents of impoverished areas are forced to walk many hours for water.
• Children can then attend school instead of walking for water.
• It has been shown that clean water projects promote positive social change, decrease poverty, and increase, over time, literacy.
• Purchasing Ix woven leather sandals will make a difference in children's lives and the lives of those who weave them.

GUATEMALA FUN FACTS

• Guatemala means "the land of eternal spring".
• Most Chiquita bananas and Starbuck's coffee are grown in Guatemala.
• There are over 27 Mayan dialects and different languages spoken in Guatemala.
• The McDonald's Happy Meal, McCafe, and the McDonald's playground were all created in Guatemala.
• Denim jeans were invented in Guatemala.
• Mayan people discovered the process to make chocolate from cacao.
• The flag of Guatemala has a national coat of arms in the middle and the two blue parts represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
• Guatemala is a land of natural beauty. It has over 37 volcanoes, jungles and many Mayan ruins.

WHY CHARITY WATER?

• Their 100% model ensures that EVERY DOLLAR donated go directly into water projects.
• They have a proven track record for project success.
• GPS computer markers show exactly where, when, why and how your donation was used.
• Check out charity: water's Dollars to Projects program here.

 

Anyhow. I just ran across them and thought I would share! And look at the cute shoes they make!

 

 

 

They also fund raise with Runs across the country! To run with them and see where they are next click here!!

 

 

This was ALL taken from their site! I just had to share it with you!