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By Peter Biggs
EVERY YEAR Christmas approaches with all its bustle and
responsibilities.
This year there is some added economic anxiety, and
gift spending is expected to decline.
It may be more timely than ever to consider those less
fortunate than us, especially those in the developing world who are often
exploited.
Ten Thousand Villages, a project of the Mennonite
Central Committee (MCC), is a chain of arts and crafts stores.
They are a non-profit and fair trade organization that
provides fair incomes to people in the developing world by marketing their
handicrafts and telling their stories in North America.
With a network of 50 stores in Canada, including 10 in
B.C., and more than 150 stores in the United States, Ten Thousand Villages
is the biggest and oldest fair trade organization in North America.
Just what is ‘fair trade’?
Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue,
transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade.
It contributes to sustainable development by offering
better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized
producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are
engaged actively in supporting producers, raising awareness and
campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional
international trade.
Olga Nickel, manager of Langley’s Ten Thousand
Villages store told BCCN, “Most of our products are produced by small co-ops from
over 30 different countries. We typically pay artisans in developing
countries three to four times more than other retailers.”
Along with paying a fair price, they also have very
strict guidelines in place regarding issues such as child labor, and
pay producers 50 percent up front to enable them to purchase raw
materials, with full payment given before the product is shipped.
Is fair trade more expensive?
Nickel is emphatic, “Absolutely not! We sell fair
trade coffee that is less expensive than Starbucks,” she said.
“Of course everything in the store is hand made, but quite
reasonable.”
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Give a goat for Christmas!
Every Christmas, Ten Thousand Villages also facilitates
giving a ‘Living Gift;’ that is donating funds on behalf of a
gift recipient that goes to the purchase of practical elements such as a
month’s food for an orphan, vegetable seedlings, clean water
distribution network or funding for school ($300 pays for a child for whole
year).
“It’s a great way to buy for that person
who has everything,” said Nickel.
“More than ever, people are looking for gifts
that express the true meaning of the season. A Living Gift does just that,
it reminds us of the simple ways to give the most important gift of all:
hope for a better future.
Volunteers for Christ
The Ten Thousand Villages stores rely heavily on
volunteerism. Mika Toews, a volunteer at the Langley store spoke of her
motivation to make a difference in the lives of producers.
“I’ve volunteered in churches since I was little,” she
said.
“We are always looking for volunteers,”
said Nickel. “For retirees or mothers who have four hours a week to
spare, this is a great option.”
Ten Thousand Villages also can facilitate church
exhibitions. “We have gone to Gracepoint Community Church in Surrey
with ‘Christmas Around the World,’ a set up of a variety of
products made by artisans from all over the world.”
Christmas blessings
With the motivation of helping the poor, a supply of
quality handmade products and savvy marketing, these fair trade outlets are
poised to take advantage of the Christmas ethos of goodwill to all.
For more info: 604.534.3868 / www.thousandvillages.ca.
November 2008
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