What this program does
This program puts running, trail, or track shoes on young athletes in Oaxaca who are training without the right pair. Many come from rural and Indigenous communities where a single pair of sport-specific shoes costs more than a month of household income.
Without proper footwear an athlete trains injured, places badly, or stops going. Oax Sport buys the shoes, sizes them to the athlete’s discipline, and sources from vendors in Mexico wherever possible. The program supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In 2022 CONEVAL estimated that 58.4% of the population of Oaxaca lived in poverty. That is the context this program works in: specialized sports footwear is not a small purchase here.
Photos: @braulionxs
Why it matters
Worn out, torn, or wrong-sized shoes bring pain, injury, and then absence. An athlete who stops going rarely comes back. Equipment is the cheapest point at which that chain can be broken.
What the program covers
- Shoes: road, trail, or track, chosen for the athlete’s discipline.
- Basic kit: travel bag, race uniform, and competition-day items when needed.
- Responsible reuse: cleaning and reissuing gear that is still in good condition.
- Distribution by need: prioritized for athletes with verifiable competition participation.
What your support buys
Travel bag and event uniform.
Standard road or trail running shoes.
Competition-grade track spikes.
A full season of footwear and basic gear for one athlete.
Examples are illustrative. Actual expenses vary by athlete and program.
Donate to this program
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2025 to 2028 goals
- Equip at least 30 young athletes with proper footwear each year.
- Reduce the injuries and dropouts that inadequate gear causes.
- Build confidence and consistency in training.
- Buy in Mexico wherever possible, so the spending stays local.
These are targets, not results already achieved.
Transparency
Oax Sport Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Austin, Texas. EIN 86-3407818. Gifts are tax-deductible in the United States to the extent allowed by law.
Oax Sport A.C. is registered in Oaxaca, Mexico. RFC OSP-230216-SG0. Authorization to issue tax-deductible receipts is in process with the SAT; expected early 2027.
Other programs in this category
Keep a young athlete running.
100% of designated donations received by Oax Sport fund approved expenses for the selected athlete, team, program, or project. General donations that are not designated to a specific athlete or program help cover operating costs and other areas of greatest need.