CHOOZE footwear is teaming up with Soles4Souls to encourage children to spread a message of hope through design. The Kids Designer Contest asks children to send two designs - they can be digital or on paper - along with a message of hope for those in need. The winner will have their designs and message put onto a pair of shoes that will be sold worldwide to help people in need.

CHOOZE is asking for two designs because their signature footware for children features a slightly mismatched pair, an idea meant to foster creativity in children. CHOOZE is not your typical shoe company though, they invest all their profits into microfinance loans for women in poverty so they can have a chance to start their own businesses. Soles4Souls has a similar goal as a charitable micro-enterprise program that aims to provide impoverished people around the world with the resources necessary to start and maintain a business.

The announcement of the competition comes after the TEDxKids conference, which features middle school students speaking about new ideas for the next generation. This year's youngest speaker was Sam, son of Sharon Blumberg, the creator of CHOOZE. After the Japanese tsunami, Sam gained the support of his third grade class in creating bracelets to raise over $1,000 to donate to the victims. He revealed a simple 5-step method for achieving a goal:

1. Think it through.
2. Don’t give up on your idea.
3. Take action on your idea.
4. Your idea should affect others in a good way.
5. Share your ideas with others. If your idea is successful, many people’s lives will be changed.

Are your kids enterprising in any way?

Create a Difference [CHOOZE]

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