Let's Talk Shirts - Fair Trade Series Day 13!!

Yeaahhh to Blogger for getting us up and running again!! I'm sure it's been a tiring 24+ hours for this group.  In case you didn't know, Blogger was down most of yesterday and this morning; but, their tech folks were working hard to get us back up and going...so, excuse the interruption, but thank goodness we're up again!

Today is day 13 of a 14 day blogging series about Fair Trade.  Tomorrow is World Fair Trade Day and with over 10,000 people signed up for events, there will be a world of celebrating going on. I myself will be heading to Ten Thousand Villages for some ice cream sundae's, a treasure hunt and to put my markings on the Fair Trade Wall!  Tomorrow will not just be about celebrating, but mostly educating... so I challenge you, (if you haven't registered for an event) to share with at least two people tomorrow, the Fair Trade message of hope and empowerment. 

Tonight, I will pull it all together with some imaginary producers.  I got the idea from Just Shirts, a Fair Trade retailer out of Canada.  With information from their site, I was sparked with an idea that gets the message across clearly of what the Fair Trade movement does to help those in developing countries move forward. So without further ado....

Let's Talk T-Shirts 

"Well hello there!"

"My name is Runako and I am a shirt maker in my country. The shirt your wearing was made with lots of care and possibly by one of my neighbors.  The co-op group that I work for allows me health benefits, proper safety equipment and a safe working environment. I receive safety training and equitable wages and I’m allowed the opportunity to participate in the decision making process. I also receive .40 for every shirt that I produce. My co-op group works with a Fair Trade North American Importer who cares about us and our community. All of my children are able to go to school and eat healthy meals. We have a total partnership with complete transparency. 

With the help of my co-op and educational opportunities, myself and several others in my village will be starting our own co-op next year, closer to our home.  I'm very excited and appreciative of all that I've learned.  Becoming a partner in my own business, will allow me to do even more for my family, better our living arrangements and continue education for our children. 

I hope you enjoy your product and we thank you for your business and continued support. "

Hi,

I would tell you my name, but it probably wouldn’t matter. I am a shirt maker in my country, but I really have no idea if the shirt you’re wearing is one that was made in my production sweat shop,or another or even in my country to be honest. I really don’t enjoy my job, but I have no other opportunities. Here we don’t get benefits and the work space is cramped with poor ventilation. Sometimes I am the victim of Harassment from the supervisors. I’ve been working here for 7 years, but I have no voice or input into anything. Wages are poor; and, I only make .10 per shirt that I produce, so I’m guessing the American Importer and the production facility makes most of the profit. I barely make enough to support my family and my children have no education.

I have to go now my boss is coming.

Fair Trade Makes a Difference!

Visit tomorrow when I'll share with you photos from Ten Thousand Villages, until then.....

Unveiling,

Are You Ready for Your Coffee Break May 14th? - Fair Trade Series Day 9

WOW! 8 days have already gone by since I started sharing with you what all the excitement is about Fair Trade.  I took a tiny break yesterday to celebrate Mother's Day, but I'm back in week 2 with more great information! 

As May 14th (Fair Trade Day) approaches, groups, organizations and individuals are preparing for big celebrations this Saturday and today I'm going to share with you, how you can participate as big or as small as you like, simply by sharing what you've learned through this series or what you already know. 

FTN Poster

As of today, according to the Fair Trade Resource Network, 10,0000 participants have registered Coffee Break Events for May 13-14th.  Some of the events include coffee breaks, fashion shows, food tastings, music concerts, talks and many other creative ideas. 

FTNstickers

So, how can YOU participate?  It doesn't have to be anything as big as the above, but the entire event should be about sharing.  Try brunch or tea with some friends Saturday morning,  Girls Night Out with a Movie (Featuring Fair Trade of Course),  have an information booth at your Church, at work or your childs school, blog about it, post on FB or Twitter all day about it, the possibilities are endless..the main point behind May 14th  is to create awareness. 

If you're seriously thinking about having an event (big or small) visit the Fair Trade Resource Network and register before this Saturday, then visit their resource page and download all types of information, videos and posters to print out and to share at your event.  If you're quick, you may have time to sign up for some free samples or coupons before Saturday.  And most importantly come back and and LET ME KNOW!! 

My small part is of course this 14 day series.  I've also been sharing at work.  I've created a poster "Fair Trade Coffee Break" and I'll be sitting out more goodies this week, with information pages about Fair Trade.  The chocolate last week was a big hit..it's all gone!  I won't be holding an event on Saturday, but I have ALL intentions of being at my local Ten Thousand Villages for an ice cream sundae, a Treasure Hunt, and to sign the Fair Trade wall! ....Can't wait. 

If you're just getting here and need to catch up, below are links from last weeks posts:
Day 1 - Wake Up The World - Fair Trade Awareness
Day 2 - Fair Traeducation #101
Day 3 - Ten Thousand Villages vs. One Sappy Mom
Day 4 - What Items Are Available As Fair Trade
Day 5 - Santiago Rivera Tells His Story
Day 6 - Beads That Change Lives
Day 7 - Care To Know What I'm Reading

Don't forget to come back tomorrow...we have 5 more days to hang out together, crazy things could happen between now and Saturday, as I'm dreaming Fair Trade these days.  Thanks for deciding to come back...I appreciate all of you!!

Unveiling in dreams and coffe breaks,

What Items Are Available as Fair Trade - Featured Series Day 4

Today is day four of a 14 day series on Fair Trade, leading up to Fair Trade Day on May 14th. For yesterday's post, Ten Thousand Villages vs. One Sappy Mom  click here. 

If there's one thing I've learned from facilitating leadership classes, it's that even adults need a break.  Why should anything be different here? I wouldn't be a good teacher if I didn't allow a break for some fun, so tonight we will allow our eyes and senses do all the work, as I share with you some of the different types of fair trade items around the world. 

Art Art Art...definitely an abudance and available all over the web.  

 A cute little conversation piece from Ten Thousand Villages.  Can you tell what it's made from?

 Artisan vases found at my local Ten Thousand Villages

 My nephew fell in love with this set..hand carved from guess where??

More wall candy, you name it... it's made to hang.  

Kazuri beads from Kenya. I use these often in my jewelry..absolutely love them. Made from clay near the base of Mt. Kenya.  

Hill Tribe fine silver from Thailand. I use a LOT of this in my jewelry, and will continue to purchase as soon as the silver  prices drop...ggeeez

Baili Silver Beads  from Indonesia (source kkgems and beads)

Another favorite jewelry component I use a LOT of.



Coffee (source Green Mountain Coffee)



That's right....you saw it here...Ben and Jerry's!! (see the label on the left of the carton)



Organic Sweetners (source Wholesome Sweetners)



Clothing (source Indigenous Designs)



Chocolate (source: Global Exchange Store)

Most Fair Trade chocolate I've had is very very rich...real stuff guys!



(source: Dr. Bronners Magic)

Soaps, cleansers, lotions, shampoos and all other things to make you beautiful.

Fruit (source: Fair Trade USA.org)

So, now you've seen only a smidgen of what's out there, but as you can see..there are many many different items available as Fair Trade.  Here in the United States, coffee is the biggest seller, and I'm proud to say that I'm a contributor to that statistical data. 

Hopefully you found something that you already use, that you'd like to try as a Fair Trade item or something new would be cool too!   The links in this post are just a sampling of where you can find many different versions of the above...except maybe the Ten Thousand Villages items, which may be specific to them.  I would recommend starting with the below links to begin your search for retailers who sell Fair Trade Items world wide, have fun and enjoy the goodies.  If you have a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's in your town, those are must stops for perishable items to try quickly. 

okay...now is the time to share which items you already use or plan to give a try. My first stop this weekend is Ben and Jerry's..how about you?

Fair Trade Resources for retailers:
Fair Trade Resource Network
Fair Trade Federation
World Fair Trade Organization

Ten Thousand Villages vs. One Sappy Mom - Featured Series Day 3



© Tatiana Morozova Dreamstime.com

 Today is day three of a 14 day series on Fair Trade, leading up to Fair Trade Day on May 14th. For yesterday's post, Fair Tradeducation 101, please click here.

Today, I’m going to share with you, through a personal story, one other reason why I choose to purchase Fair Trade products - The Stories.

Because of the nature of the Fair Trade concept, there is typically a story behind the artists or farmers who produce these items. While you may never meet these individuals, you’ll always be able to tell someone else about their story, their village or the positive change your purchase made for them, their family or their village.

I shared this particular story a couple of years ago here, but it’s one that I just enjoy telling again and again:

The Story

One of my favorite places to shop during the holiday is Ten Thousand Villages, a Fair Trade retailer founded in 1946 with stores in the United States and across Canada. All Ten Thousand Villages stores are non-profit and are mostly staffed by volunteers.  

$98.00 Singing Bowl from Ten Thousand Villages

Three Christmas’s ago, while shopping with my son in Carytown (you've heard that before), we made our usual holiday stop in, to see what unique gifts we could find. While I was off looking at the music in the CD section, my son and one of the sales ladies working were plotting over in the musical instrument section, working out a game plan, unbeknown to me at the time. After several minutes had passed, he comes to me and asks me to come over to where his accomplice was waiting....I mean, where they were. He begins to show and demonstrate to me this big metal bowl that hums. I could tell by the look on his face that he just had to have it. He was in awe for some reason at the sound and an apparent sensation he was getting. It was Christmas, so I decided to ask the sales lady for the price.  At the tune of $98.00, I quickly said to my son, “not today buddy”, and suggested that he save some of his own allowance and return to purchase it later.

$48 Singing Bowl from Ten Thousand Villages

They weren’t ready to hear that; nor, were they ready to give up that easy. The wonderful sales lady (who turned out to be a volunteer) was on her job that day, because this is when she began her tugging at my heart. She started with the following…”These bowls are called singing bowls. They are solid brass and handmade in Tibet, used for meditation and sometimes prayer. Because they are handmade, each bowl has a different sound.” She then begins to demonstrate this, and hands another bowl to my son and continues…”this one, only cost $48.00” (remember... they had a head start on their game plan). She then gives me the larger bowl ($98), and continues…”Now if you hold this flat in your hand, and rub the wooden dowel around the outside of the bowl, the humming will start, and you’ll feel a warm vibration going up your arm, and into your chest”. Guess what? - I DID!!!

I tell you, it was a really weird feeling…I felt relaxed and at peace – EXACTLY where they wanted me!! This lady was good, and what she probably really wanted to say me to me was….”you’ll feel a warm vibration going up your arm and into your SAPPY heart!” But guess what? She’s not even finished with me yet…she tops it off with the following: “As you know, Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit organization and the proceeds from the sale of these bowls, go back to an organization named New Sadle, where they offer FREE medical care to ARTISANS…(that would be the bowl makers folks)…in Tibet who suffer with LEPROSY!”

Need I say more? Okay, I will…we now have two $48.00 bowls downstairs in our living room, where my son has told the Leprosy story behind the bowl and has performed many demonstrations for guest who have stopped by. The second one was a surprise Christmas gift from me to my son, after he DROPPED..YES DROPPED the first one on cement the SAME day we purchased it! (word of caution: singing bowls don’t sing with a crack)– If you had seen his puppy dog eyes that day, you would have done the same thing!

My Story

Before you leave today, please share your comments on Fair Trade.  If you have a story I'd love to hear about that too.

Visit Ten Thousand Villages online or in your neighborhood and purchase your own Fair Trade Art, and tell someone the story, then come back tomorrow when we'll explore some of the different Fair Trade items around the world. 

Ten Thousand Villages
3201 W. Cary Street
Richmond, Virginia (Carytown)
Upcoming Events:

May 14, 2011 - Fair Trade Day
- Fair Trade Scavenger Hunt
- Fair Trade Memory Wall
- Fair Trade Sundaes

June 4, 2011
- Fair Trade Fashion Show

Unveiling one village at a time,

It Wasn't Humpty Dumpty This Time...

I'm afraid of a few things...flying, bridges, height, snakes just to name a few, BUT this week, I'm adding stairs to my list - that's right stairs and they happen to be the four bottom ones inside my house!

I was on vacation last week, and I must say it was quite enjoyable.  I Didn't go out of town, didn't have any planned things to do, just enjoy the time off at my leisure. But, I guess my body enjoyed the time off a little more than I did and wasn't ready to go back to work Tuesday morning - seems it had more relaxing to do and it failed to inform me of its plans.

As I was headed downstairs Tuesday morning, right foot wasn't collaborating with left foot and between the two, one of them missed the 9th step and ......need I say more?  Okay I will.....

I don't know how I got there, but I landed with my head at the bottom, (after hitting a plastic tub on it's way to the attic.) in a twisted fetal position!

First thought...Don't Move!  Second thought...Medic Alert...why don't I have one!  Third thought...where is the closest phone!!

After lying there for several seconds, I knew I had to move, because I was the only one home. I can say now and I did exclaim when could feel pain... Thank God!  After picking up my glasses (which I heard crack and thought was my back) and slowly sitting up, I was a bag of nerves. My entire body was shaking, but I was alive and I was able to move.  I made it to work that morning..slowly with a burning sensation that I remember from my epidural 14 years ago. I saw the doctor that afternoon (left armed with a prescription for inflamation and pain) but the reality of all things affected wouldn't surface until Wedneday and they went in the order as follows:

bump on back of head

aching neck

sore right upper arm

sore left shoulder blade

burning upper back

sore left hip joint

sore left knee

I am happy to report, and still so thankful for being here, that I'm on the mend and feeling much better today. Still some lingering issues with my back and hip, but I'm so happy and blessed that it wasn't worse, that I'm not complaining one bit! 



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Visit me tomorrow, when I'll begin a 15 day countdown to World Fair Trade Day. Learn all about the goodness of Fair Trade and why you should pledge to buy more.  In the meantime, check out Putumayo for some great selections in World Music at http://www.putumayo.com/.  The company’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than one million dollars to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world.  Take a listen, I guarantee "it will make you feel good". 

 Unveiling through a blessing,