Element Eden Advocate Amy Purdy just returned home from her trip to South Africa with TOMS and Element! We’re so excited to have her back, and even more excited to see her photos and hear her stories about this life-changing experience! The following is Part 2 of a continuing update on the trip:

Yesterday was one of the most inspiring days for me. We went to downtown Durban and worked with Umthombo. Umthombo is a voice from the streets. It is a unique South African street children organization led predominantly by former street children. The organization has many programs for the children one of them being a surf program. They get donated surfboards and wetsuits and have a surf coach for the kids.

This place was so full of love – the kids were amazing! It’s hard to think that they don’t have a place to go home to. But what they do have is the amazing support of the organization. After we fit them with their shoes they were so grateful they would just come up to us and give us the biggest hugs. As soon as we put the shoes on them, they would get up and dance and sing to us! For living the tough lives they live, they were so full of light and smiles, it really puts our lives into perspective.

After the shoe drop we watched them surf – what an amazing experience for them and for us to watch! The waves were massive and these kids were masters of them! This day absolutely inspired me to continue to give back as much as possible. I feel so good knowing I am making a difference, I will continue to support Umthombo in any way I can!

More to come!

Read more of Amy’s blog here.