Countries delivered in
£ Pounds Raised
Number of times people on a dump have been helped
shoes and aid distributed
Who We Are
Small Steps Project is a humanitarian organisation and UK registered charity supporting children and their families on rubbish dumps and landfill sites around the world who survive from waste picking.
We aim to raise awareness, through photography and film, of the unacceptable hardships that they face.
We are passionate about the environment, waste and equality for the, often overlooked, population of waste picker communities.
We run the Celebrity Shoe Auction and have worked with over 900 celebrities to help spread our message that if you have enough, then share the what you dont need with those who dont have as much.
What We Do
From people volunteering their skills, following us on social media, attending our events, and companies donating their products and services, to the celebrities that donate their shoes, we raise funds that go to those who need it most.
First we provide emergency aid, shoes and food to children and communities living on rubbish dumps and landfill sites around the world. Then we provide support for children to take steps off the dumps into our children’s centres with access to playgrounds, edible gardens, feeding programmes, water, hygiene and sanitation, mothers cooperatives, creches, and education.
We provide a free, safe place where parents can leave their children, while they work as waste pickers on the dump sites.
our story
Small Steps Project started in 2009, in Cambodia, with a shoe distribution to 1000 people and a documentary we made about that, followed by our first Celebrity Shoe Auction. The money raised enabled us to give out shoes on every dump in Cambodia. Then we created our first children’s project to provide a safe place where children could go to off the dump and play, eat, wash and learn. The success of this model lead to us rolling it out after each shoe distribution, all over the world. From Laos, to Nicaragua, to India, Timor Leste and Romania. Our delivery was funded by the UNDP and Comic Relief. We are currently running projects in East Africa, this year will be our 14th Celebrity Shoe Auction and a million people have watched our films.
Provide all children and families who live or work on rubbish dumps and landfill sites with shoes and aid that will enable them to take small steps out of poverty.
Collaborate with locally established NGOs and Community Based Organisations to create sustainable solutions and longevity for the projects we set up.
Improving global awareness of international waste systems and the human rights violations encountered by waste scavengers, through documentary films.
With Your Help, We are Making The World a Better Place
Small Steps Project is a dedicated organization that is committed to making the world a better place for all of us. Watch this short introduction film about what we do.
A Letter from the Board
Our Impact
Small Steps Project is dedicated to making the world a better place for all of us. Through our emergency aid distribution projects, we provide immediate support to children and communities living on municipal rubbish dumps. From shoes and clothing to food and water, we ensure basic needs are met. But we don’t stop there. We also take steps to support children in their education and adults in finding employment. Our sustainable projects aim to reduce the time spent on dumps and help our beneficiaries take small steps towards a better future. With the support of volunteers and donations, we are able to create awareness and raise funds to make a positive impact on this global issue. Join us on our mission to create a better world. Support us now and be a part of the change.
Thomas Phillips
Thomas Phillips
Chairperson