We get lots of questions on how we maintain and ensure that our footwear factory overseas is providing a quality work environment for all employees. It’s a great question and we’ve written about such related practices previously here in the Sole Blog. But when trolling through some of these earlier posts I realized that we have not specifically laid out our criteria, findings, and notes in one clear and concise post. So here it is!
- Worker pay. The workers at Sarada Indistries, the factory we employ in Vijayawada, India, pays a fair wage to all workers well above the country base line for pay in this industry which I have to tell you is scary low. Unfortunately we do not have direct control over this as we do not own the factory. We have spent significant time there though, and in speaking with workers directly have learned that they are paid well and often it is the best paying job in the area for them!
- Worker conditions. After having spent significant time on the factory floor Rao and I can comfortably describe the factory as: Highly Functional. Much like you would expect a Toyota auto factory except WAY smaller and less high-tech. Everything and everybody has a specific purpose and process they follow. Defining functional means that adequate lighting and safety precautions are in place, each worker has a comfortable space to work within, a breeze and fresh air comes through large open windows, and ceiling fans provide a nice cooling effect in the warm South Indian climate. Hazardous materials are not used in the production of Common Soles footwear, in fact, our products are so simple that most materials and tools used to assemble them can be found in the typical homeowner's garage throughout the US.
We are over 50% of the way to completing this 
Dave and I went to visit the all girls school in Purchuru, to learn first hand how the school operates and what initiatives will make the most sense for the school. It was quite an amazing experience. All the children seem so bright and happy to receive an education, and the teachers are so very proud of the school and their students. The girls come from poor families who normally cannot afford to pay for their children education.
Dave is on his way back to US. No one would believe that it was his first time to India. He braved the heat, spices, and all the complexities of travel in India with great ease and as any local would do. Kids just loved him where ever we went and some even thought he was 
I am enroute to India to meet up with Rao who has been hard at work over there on new product and initiaitves for Common Soles. As a result we won't be posting any new blog entries until we return the week of Oct 11th. (I know, you'll miss us...)
Currently, Rao is traveling India working on product and initiatives for Common Soles. I join him on Sept 30th! Here is a picture of Rao exploring some of the footwear available for sale in the streetside shops of 
We are making great progress with raising the necessary funds for our Vijayawada school book initiative. 25% to goal thus far! Thank you to all who are supporting this initiative by purchasing a pair of the 
As stated all over our website we are selling the 
pair sold. Some think it's great, others wonder why it's only $1. Here's the detail on the $1 we give and why it's actually more than just $1.
The photo we currently have posted on our home page was taken at one of the schools we are helping to fund via the sale of our flip flops. The school is The Amanchi Narasimham & Venkata Subbamma Girls High School, located in Paruchuru, Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh, India (see map below). 
We are probably one of the smallest footwear organizations in existence right now. Two employees in the US, and some dedicated folks overseas. Of course we do have the help of our significant others (thank you very much!), friends, and family. Being small is good though - we are incredibly nimble and it's very easy for Rao and I to communicate with one another. 
A few different woman's styles that are being handmade by our folks in India. These flip flops will kick off our first initiative which will be to help fund education for the workers children. (I discuss this in previous posts for those of you who are following our journey.)