The Root Collective

The Root Collective shoes are made by hand by various, skilled residents of Guatemala City, Guatemala. One such man is Otto, who was born in a slum called La Limonada and raised in a culture of gangs and violence. Despite his surroundings, Otto became a shoemaker and was able to rise above his surroundings and even help transform his own community. His dream is to teach former gang members his skills in hopes that those who come after will not have to grow up in such dark conditions.