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 #7

"FTF 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 500 women and their children from all over the world. FTF is a ministry of Mercy House Kenya, a non-profit organization." 

-Fair Trade Friday 

If you are interested in signing up for a fair trade Friday you can do that here. They also have a new earring of the month you should check out!

"Your box employed approximately 7 women this month."

{I still love seeing that part each month!}

This scarf is from JOYN! They're really pretty! You find one for yourself here! JOYN takes artisans living in poverty and joins them with the thriving fashion world. Each step of our process is done by hand—creating more jobs, bringing more joy, and connecting more artisans with YOU.

Organic English Breakfast tea from Equal Exchange. Their Fair Trade and organic teas come from their small farmer partners in India, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Most teas on the shelf - even Fair Trade teas - come from plantations, where tea workers have little say. Join them in supporting a tea model in which farmers control their futures.

This crotched flower Mother's Day card is 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 "Foldover Clutch" from Tukula. Tukula (meaning "we grow") is an accessories line based in Jinja, Uganda. We hire young women who are trained as seamstresses but aren't able to find consistent work.

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.