This year we have had the chance to encounter businesses and ministries that both aim to create and sell a quality product and build up and give back to whatever community they are in.
Often we wonder how we can help; how we can make a difference. Many times it is overwhelming, but where we spend our money as consumers can truly affect the lives of others half way across the world.
With the holiday season approaching, my team and I thought we would create a gift guide. A list of business that we have encountered or worked with this year that are making a positive impact in the lives of others. I often wonder if Fair Trade items are really “fair trade.” After working this year, I can truly say they are. We want to empower our friends to see their purchases as more than just a gift to a loved one, but rather a way to impact lives around the world. It may seem cheesy, but as consumers, we do have power to affect change.
International:
Timbali Crafts
The women who create Timbali Crafts are all volunteer cooks at community based feeding centers, called Care Points, throughout Swaziland, Africa. In this tiny nation with the highest HIV/AIDS rate, and lowest life expectancy in the world, the needs are immense. In spite of their own hardships, the Timbali women help to feed more than 2500 children each day. They are incredible to say the least.
Timbali started in 2006 to reach out to the physical and spiritual needs of these hard-working women. These women volunteer to work at the Care Points but needed a way to support their own families. Timbali now supports and provides income to over 100+ families.
But it doesn’t stop there. Timbali Crafts helps the women purchase their own sewing machines through no interest loans with minimal monthly payments. The women are also given the opportunity to participate in a matching savings program, to help with school fees for their children and other big expenses such as home repairs. Timbali also reaches out in emergency situations with food baskets for families who have lost a loved one, or have a special need, and also help to provide medical care when possible/needed.
They have a wide range of products from different sized bags and purses, to aprons, skirts, doll clothes, place mats, headbands, key-fobs, ornaments and my personal favorite, a yoga mat bag. Timbali is a favorite across our Squad and hits close to home since we worked at care points with many of the women who make these amazing products.
Every Timbali purchase comes with the name of the woman who made it, so that when it arrives you can go to their website and read the woman’s story.
For more information or to purchase please visit: www.timbalicrafts.org
Mia Tribe SCE
Mia Tribe is a Greek Social Cooperative Enterprise (SCE), which services vulnerable people who are recognized as victims of domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, asylum seekers, economical migrants, single moms, those living under the line of poverty, and long-term unemployed individuals over the age of fifty.
The purpose of the Coop is the advocacy and empowerment of vulnerable people groups, which are defined by those who are in a disadvantageous position towards feasible integration into the labor market due to economic, social, and cultural causes. Greece being a country of destination for thousands of misplaced populations, and due to the economic crisis, their well being, integration, and future is left uncertain.
Mia Tribe’s members hand-craft unique jewelry pieces which are designed in-house. All pieces are created using locally – and ethically – sourced material. The workshop’s programs provide members with training in hard skills, such as jewelry – making and sewing, as well as valuable exposure to manufacturing and business concepts such as quality assurance, productivity, efficiency, and teamwork.
We came across Mia Tribe SCE during our time in Greece. Our apartment was connected to their workshop! We had a chance to see and talk with the people who make the jewelry, all of which have incredible stories of how and why they ended up in Greece. Many of us on the team purchased jewelry and I wear my bracelet everyday.
For more information or to purchase please visit: www.miatribe.org
Glory Haus/Daughters of Hope
Daughters of Hope is a fair trade social enterprise based in Southern India that provides training and employment to impoverished women. Daughters of Hope provides not only a safe and healthy work environment, but provides family support in many ways through free childcare, free healthy lunches, savings plans, insurance, etc. The vision of Daughters of Hope is not only to reduce poverty and injustice, but to give dignity and freedom to those who have been caught up in the cycle of economic and social oppression.
Many of the women at Daughters of Hope have had no tailoring experience or education of any kind, yet through the training program, they have made beautiful products. These include tea towels, placemats, pillows, wall hangings, table runners and laundry bags.
During our month in India, we worked alongside these women in the factory. These women work hard and through Daughters of Hope have been given a second chance at life. In Indian society, if you are a woman and are not married, widowed or abandoned by your husband, you are considered worthless. Daughters of Hope gives these women a safe place, skills and an income.
Products can be purchased at your local Cracker Barrel and online.
For more information or to purchase please visit: https://www.gloryhaus.com/t-daughtersofhope.aspx
Stateside:
Go Rings
Go Rings was founded on the belief that the products we buy can make a tangible difference in the world. It originally started as a way to fund a girl going on the World Race. After she became fully funded, the rings continued to sell. They have been selling the rings ever since. They are constantly adding to their catalog of jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and of course, rings.
They donate 30% of their profits. These either go to an individual partner who is fundraising for a trip, such as the World Race, or to a Non-Profit Organization. Most recently they donated a percentage of their sales to Hurricane Harvey relief. In the months of November and December they always announce who their Holiday profits will go to. To this date they have partnered with 150 individuals and organizations to affect change in the world around them.
I personally partnered with them and can say that the owners are kind, driven and provide an ethically created and quality product.
For more information or to purchase please visit: www.gorings.com
Toms
This one may seem obvious, but in recent years, I have heard of people doubting if Toms really does what they say. Toms motto is, “One for One.” They became famous for the fact that they would give a pair of shoes to a child in need, for every pair bought stateside. We can say for sure that Toms keeps up its end of the bargain. Many of the children we worked with in Swaziland had a pair of Tom’s. We would often find well loved and worn Toms left by the side of the road after reaching their limits. These children walk countless miles everyday, either to school, to a care point to get food or to get water. They either do this barefoot or in shoes that don’t fit or are mismatched across ground that is littered with metal and glass.
During our time in Swaziland we had the privilege of seeing a shoe drop. The man in charge of our care point was given Toms to then give to the older boys who came to our point. Toms is perceived positively in the area and by our ministry hosts. Recently, they have expanded to not only providing shoes, but eye care, water, bullying prevention and safe birth.
For more information or to purchase please visit: www.toms.com
Rochester
Be on the lookout in your own town for shops that support Fair Trade or give back to the community. Two of my favorite shops in Rochester do just that.
One World Goods: They support artisans from all over the World. Their products are Fair Trade and the sale of their products helps to support their families. My favorite pair of gloves are from there.
Coffee Connection: They provide employment training and job creation for women in recovery from addiction and as a not-for-profit business they sell fair trade, organic coffee. Their Skiers Blend is my favorite!
–Caitlin
