More than 550 men, women and children in Haiti received a new pair of flip flops from God Feet this week.

During the drop off, the team from faith-based shoe ministry visited seven orphanages in Port-au-Prince and spoke to countless locals.

Haiti is still in the recovery and reconstruction process after last year’s devastating earthquake.

It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and home to more than 1.5 million orphans, with most orphanages underfunded and understaffed.

“To a child who has nothing, a new pair of shoes means the world,” said God Feet co-founder Shannon Gillette.

“We were able to spread the Gospel through sandals, and help each child truly believe that they are special and not forgotten.”

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Flip flops may be of little consequence to people in affluent countries, but in Haiti they play an important role in keeping people healthy.

Many Haitians suffer from infections, parasites and disease as a result of walking around without any shoes on.

“Given the conditions and warm climate in Haiti, flip flops are a great way to protect them from open sores and soil transmitted parasites caused from walking barefoot,” said ministry founder David Gillette.

The sandals handed out by God Feet are specially designed for rough terrain and feature inspirational scripture.