Fair Trade Friday: box #8

Happy Fair Trade Friday Friends! You know already that it is one of my favorite days of the month. I love getting mail and mail that empowers women around the world is even BETTER! 

Your box employed approximately 4 women this month. 

This gorgeous bag is the Trendy Reversible Tote Bag from 3 Cords in Haiti! 3 Cords is a social enterprise founded in September 2010 to train, employ, and empower Haitian men and women.  Our mission is to provide opportunities for physically handicapped  women and men, and to show them that they are both beautiful and valuable.  We do this by training our employees as artisans in a loving, community oriented environment. 

The name 3 Cords comes from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: 

“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of 3 strands is not easily broken.”

We chose this verse to represent us because we believe strongly in the power of community.  An added bonus is that the name “3 Cords” goes along with our main product line – a braided cord headband!

This is the Wooden Wrap Bracelet from Freedom Firm through Ruhamah Designs. Freedom Firm works in India to Rescue minors who have been sold into the commercial sex trade, Restoration of their identities, and seek Justice against those who perpetrate these crimes.

This is a crochet jar or lid opener from The Refugee Project in Houston, Texas. All the items are handmade by refugee women of Burma, Bhutan and Nepal who have been relocated to Houston, Texas by the United Nations for religious and ethnic persecution. By purchasing an item, you are empowering women by helping them meet some of their basic needs.

If you haven't tried Fair Trade Friday yet-- what are you waiting for? 

Fair Trade Friday: Box #6

It's one of my favorite parts of every month. You know, when my Fair Trade Friday package comes- it's so much fun to see what's in it! I know maybe it seems frivolous to spend money every month on "novelty" items.

BUT WHEN...

...100% of the proceeds from each product go toward the empowerment of impoverished women as an avenue to introduce them to the Gospel.

Can you put a price on that? 

Do you see the writing in blue? That's my favorite part. 

"Your box employed approximately 5 women this month."

This is the Justina coin purse from Clothed in Hope from Zambia, Africa. Supporting them means empowering women to benefit communities in Zambia. It means bringing them hope.

This is the Love Mercy Bracelet from Mercy House Kenya in Kenya, Africa. You can either buy one for $10.00 or you  can order a kit of 25 for $10 (to cover expenses and shipping) and serve Mercy House by putting the bracelets together and selling them to friends and family or sending them back for us to sell. Kits are available in the store. 

These cotton washcloths are from The Refugee Project in Houston, Texas. All the items are handmade by refugee women of Burma, Bhutan and Nepal who have been relocated to Houston, Texas by the United Nations for religious and ethnic persecution. By purchasing an item, you are empowering women by helping them meet some of their basic needs.

 This is the "By the Sea Cuff" from Tukula in Jinja, Uganda. Isn't it gorgeous? Do you see Esther's face? I love it so much. 

Your yes matters.

Fair Trade Friday: Box #5

You already know what day it is and it's one of my favorites every month. IT'S FAIR TRADE FRIDAY! Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just got a little excited! What's Fair Trade Friday you ask? Fair Trade Friday is a monthly membership club that delivers a box of quality items to your door by the first Friday of the month. The items in the box are fairly traded and provide employment to women all around the world. 100% of the proceeds from each box goes to the empowerment of impoverished women as an opportunity to introduce them to the Gospel. Plus, you will love everything they send you! 

Here's what came in my box this month: 

Reusable gift bag by Friends of Mercy Goods. 

This shirt is from Freeset in India. {front}

Please excuse the wrinkles. Its been traveling. {back} 

Bracelet from The Refugee Project in Houston, TX. 

You all know I love Zambia. I absolutely loved getting a little piece of Zambia in the mail. This soap smells sooooo good!

This lip balm. I. love. it. I have already ordered a few as gifts! Also from Zambia. 

One of my favorite bags so far! Want your own? Go get one! This box employed approximately 7 women! 7 women around the world! Your yes matters! Even in the small things! 

Fair Trade Friday: Box #4

As you know... The first Friday of every month is one of my favorite days! That's the day my Fair Trade Friday box arrives! To learn more about these boxes check them out here! 

In each box now comes this fancy card! I love that they note how many women the box employed! This month all of my items were from India with the exception of the bag from Mercy Covers! 

This bag is from Mercy Covers. Mercy Covers is an outreach of the St. Bryce Missions that provides skills training, personal finance management, education, discipleship, and meaningful work for women in rural Costa Rica.

The is bracelet is called "Pharoah's cuff". It's from Mata Traders. I couldn't find the exact bracelet. You can read about Mata Traders and how they came to be here. 

This is the needlepoint necklace in black also from Mata Traders. I found one similar here. 

This market tote is from JOYN. You can read about their mission here and find a tote for yourself here. 

I also got a lanyard from JOYN. Which is currently on my keyring. You can find them here. 

I loved all of my items. I love that fair trade goods get shipped to me every month. I'm seriously in love. I get to help empower women around the world and Fair Trade Friday helps me do that. They take all the guess work out of it! So much fun! 

Thanks for loving mercy with me!

In His Love,

Jennis

P.S. I also won this from Mercy House Kenya. Some of you asked where the items were from so here you go. 

1 & 2. Crocheted Pot holders from The Refugee Project.

3. Purple Coin Purse from Mata Traders.

4. Clutch from carry 117.

5. Headband from World Finds.

6. Necklace from Mercy House Kenya.

7. Blue Maasai bangle from Global Crafts. (Kenya Collection)

8. Beaded silver plated bracelet from Global Crafts. (Kenya Collection)

9. Recycled earrings from the Takataka Collection. 

10. Lanyard from Joyn. 

11. Garden Party cuff from Mata Traders.

12. Chevron "Your Yes Matters" Farm House Tote from Mercy House Kenya.

Fair Trade Friday: Box #3

Oh man, the first Friday of the month is one of my very favorite days. Like for real. It all has to do with Fair Trade Friday. It's a beautiful thing. Helping to empower women all over the world. The thing I love most is that my six year old looks forward to it too. She loves opening all the "presents". Together we read about all of the items in our box. Then sit down and research about where they are from. I love that time with her. You can also read about my first two Fair Trade Friday boxes here and here. So without further adieu...

This bag is from Friends of Mercy in Kenya. This fair trade reusable gift bag provides meals for one day. 

Next was a window wallet that was made in Rajpur, India by JOYN.  I love that the name of all the people who worked on this are right their on the tag! At the heart of JOYN lies a desire to see lives changed. To see those crippled by poverty and hardship dance for joy. To do this, JOYN has partnered with a nonprofit called JoyCorps to provide employees with not only steady jobs and a good work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. Lives are changing as a result. JOYN continues to sell beautiful products handmade by artisans who do 100 percent of the work, from weaving to block printing to stitching. This brings JOY to those who make the products, and JOY to those who buy them.

The prayer bracelet and the hand crocheted fingerless gloves are from the Refugee Project in Houston, Texas. The United Nations has relocated more than 50,000 refugees to Houston, Texas, due to religious and ethnic persecution. The Refugee Project exists to empower refugee women by teaching them skills and product creation.

Kendall loves to be a part of it...

The next item was a beaded bracelet from Kenya by Global Crafts. Their mission is to offer income-generating opportunities to craftspeople in developing countries by following fair trade practices including paying in advance at least the market price for items, ensuring that craftspeople receive payment, and ensuring that the craftspeople work in fair working conditions. They work directly with artisans, craftspeople, and producer groups to achieve these goals and hopefully help improve the lives of some of the people with whom we share this planet.

The last item was our favorite! It's a Christmas ornament made out of paper beads from Nicaragua. It was made by the Bead Amigas. The Bead Amigas empower Nicaraguan women to create a better future for their families through art, education, and entrepreneurship. 100% of net proceeds from sales of these recycled paper beads are returned to their village in fair wages, training, and community development projects. They believe that the mutual exchange between women of different cultures, classes, and countries working for a common cause can change the world. 

Kendall already put ours on the tree! 

In one package we got items from Kenya, India, Nicaragua, and refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand in Texas. I especially love getting to pray for each of the women who made these. It's an easy way to love and support women in other countries. You can join in on the fun here! Today there is no wait list! 

Thanks for loving mercy with me! 

In His Love, 

Jennis

Fair Trade Friday: Box #2

So my 2nd Fair Trade Friday was super fun!  If you have never heard of Fair Trade Friday you can read more about it here! This was one of their high end boxes! Here's what was in it!

This bag was the first item in my box. It is handmade in Costa Rica by Mercy Covers. Mercy Covers is an outreach of the St. Bryce Missions that provides skills training, personal finance management, education, discipleship, and meaningful work for women in rural Costa Rica.

The next item was this gorgeous clutch from Korah, Ethiopia by Carry 117. Carry 117 selects carefully the women who are a part of this organization. Women that are affected by HIV, leprosy or some sort of sickness (because they are out casted from society due to the stigmas) and women that are supporting three or more family members would be given first priority in the program. Carry 117 means several things for them. First, it is named after Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” Secondly, “carry” refers to moving/carrying these women from where they currently are to a more sustainable position where they can support their families through the fruit of their labor. Their prayer is through this ministry; they would also grow to become more like Jesus, in hopes of winning all of Korah to Jesus.

This beautiful ruffle apron is from an organization called No. 41. You can read about it here from the Fair Trade Friday blog. Or you can watch this video. I think the video tells it best. 

The next item was this beautiful necklace. It is from Ecaudor! We were just in Ecuador so it has special meaning! Plus we have missionary friends who will be living in Ecuador very soon! You can find out more about them here. Anyway, this beautiful necklace was hand carved from a Tagua seed. You can find them at Yobel Market. Yobel Market exists to empower and promote the value of exploited, displaced and impoverished people groups of the world through the development of sustainable economic opportunities and fostering of education. Yobel conducts business trainings, contributes to product development, and expands global marketplaces utilizing fair trade principles while partnering with organizations committed to ethical and sustainable production processes. 

Last, was this cuff bracelet with one of my favorite verses on it! Micah 6:8! It is from Back to Africa.  In 2008 Heart of the Bride started a business development project called Back to Africa whereby hand-made jewelry was purchased from Africa and shipped back to the United States to sell in various venues. Their partners lived in extreme poverty before they began creating Back to Africa Jewelry. Today, thanks to the purchasers of their products, these same people are now able to consistently feed and clothe their children, send them to school, purchase other resources like farm animals and help their family and neighbors who are not as fortunate. As of December 2012, their artisans reported that the project is benefitting over 400 people. They have seen firsthand how a small paper bead or simple ceramic pendant can profoundly impact a community halfway around the world. Currently they have partnerships in Kenya to produce the BTA products available in this store and for home shows. In the near future they hope to expand their efforts to include Zambia and increase their partnerships in Kenya.

I think I've mentioned it, but I LOVE FAIR TRADE FRIDAY! Want to join in the fun with me? GO check them out! Thanks for loving mercy with and helping to empower women all over the world! 

In His Love, 

Jennis

Fair Trade Friday: Box #1

So, if you've been reading my blog you already know that I love Mercy House Kenya! Did you know that there is a new ministry of Mercy House Kenya? It's called Fair Trade Friday!

Why does Fair Trade Friday exist? "Fair Trade Friday exists as an avenue for women to empower women.  We are tackling poverty through job opportunity and empowerment rather than enablement. 100% of the proceeds support the artisans, more than 300 women and their children from all over the world."

So, what's Fair Trade Friday? "FTF is a monthly membership club that delivers a box of 3-4 high quality items to your door by the first Friday of the month. The items in the box are fairly traded and provide employment to women all over the world. 100% of the proceeds from each box goes to the empowerment of impoverished women. Plus, they are really cute!"

Why does fair trade matter? "It ensures club products were made by artisans in fair working conditions who were being paid a fair wage. Basically, no child gave up his education, home and family to labor in a sweat shop so that your calves can be toasty in a pair of trendy boot cuffs. You can give gifts of handcrafted jewelry and unique home decor with a clear conscience. People say it’s the thought behind the gift that counts most. In this case, we’ve done some of that thinking for you."

I've been to other countries where women are a step above the livestock. I have a passion to see women know their worth and value in Christ. Fair Trade Friday helps women around the world work and earn an income to care for their families. This way they get to keep their dignity. I love that FTF exists for women to empower other women around the world. 

So I ordered a box and then tried to wait- patiently. 

And then this happened. 

In every box there are 3-4 unique fair trade items, a one-of-a-kind handmade bag, and product cards with information about each of the fair trade items and the artisans who made them. 

This bag was the first item in my box. It is handmade in Costa Rica by Mercy Covers. Mercy Covers is an outreach of the St. Bryce Missions that provides skills training, personal finance management, education, discipleship, and meaningful work for women in rural Costa Rica.

Next was a fabric keychain that was made in Rajpur, India by JOYN. At the heart of JOYN lies a desire to see lives changed. To see those crippled by poverty and hardship dance for joy. To do this, JOYN has partnered with a nonprofit called JoyCorps to provide employees with not only steady jobs and a good work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. Lives are changing as a result. JOYN continues to sell beautiful products handmade by artisans who do 100 percent of the work, from weaving to block printing to stitching. This brings JOY to those who make the products, and JOY to those who buy them.

Then, kid's boot cuffs made by the Refugee Project in Houston, Texas. The United Nations has relocated more than 50,000 refugees to Houston, Texas, due to religious and ethnic persecution. The Refugee Project exists to empower refugee women by teaching them skills and product creation.

My favorite item are these earrings made in Nairobi, Kenya by the Jacaranda Workshop. The Jacaranda Workshop was started in 1982 to provide training and employment to mentally handicapped adults graduating from the Jacaranda Special School. To date, the workshop has successfully managed to train and employ over 60 ex-jacaranda school graduates and assisted them to improve their self-esteem. The workshop seeks to provide employment to those who may find it difficult to find employment elsewhere.

Last, but not least was this burlap bag by Mission Ethiopia. I love that this bag is lined with black satin. Korah, the city garbage dump just outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is home to more than 120,000 people living in poverty, many with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, TB and other diseases. Mission Ethiopia, Embracing Hope for Ethiopia, and Carry 117 are a few of the many outreach efforts that were established to empower residents of this community, freeing them from a life of begging and scavenging the trash for items to sell.

I loved all the items in my box! I especially loved that the items represented women on three different continents! One box held items from Costa Rica, India, refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand in Texas, Kenya, and Ethiopia! 

Each item reminds me to pray for the artist who created it! Would you pray with me?

Visit the Fair Trade Friday website above for more information on getting your own FTF box! Can't wait to see what you get! Another reason to love Friday! Thanks for loving mercy with me!

In His Love, 

Jennis