Fair Trade Gifts Come with a Story 

Compiled by Lynn Persson of Terra Experience, CFT member

Fair Trade gifts are gifts that come with a story.  It’s the story of the artisan who handcrafted the beautiful product often in his or her home.  It’s the story of the artisan’s children who are in school and eating better because the artisan regularly receives a fair wage for the product.  It’s the story of the community, the environment and the cultural traditions that are sustained by the purchase of the handcrafted product.   When you give a fair trade gift to a friend or loved one, you give a great gift and a story that says so much more.   Won’t you help us share these stories this holiday season?

Come to Global Fest gala this Friday, October 28, 6:00 to 9:30 to have fun, support Chicago Fair Trade and learn more about the stories of artisans and producers from Latin America.

 National Museum of Mexican Arts
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608

Friday Oct 28, 2011 6:00 PM – 9:30

Admission Includes access to Day of the Dead exhibit from 5:30- 7:30 pm.

Terra Experience

18” Doll Clothes

Josepha’s hammocks

Juana’s Family

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Guatemala.   Juana, Josepha, Martina, and over 21 other Mayan artisan families are grateful when you buy Terra Experience’s 18” doll clothes and other gifts from Guatemala.  January is the start of the school year in Guatemala. Mayan weavers and artisans are struggling to find enough money to buy school supplies and other things needed to keep their children in school.  Pens and notebooks cost the same in Guatemala as here, but a laborer may only make $7 or less working a full day in the fields. Your purchase helps empowers artisans to keep their kids in school, maintain their families, their traditions and remain in their communities.
 

Global Handmade Hope

coconut necklaces

Blue orange peel set

Cana Flecha Cuff

 
Colombia. In a rural town of Colombia, single mothers artisans are employed to create beautiful fair trade items such as yarn ornaments, picture frames and head bands. This employment provides a safe and honorable working environment in a town where work opportunities for single mothers are limited. As a single mother employee, these women are given the ability to care for their children while producing the beautiful items.  The Jewelry from Mother Nature is made of natural seeds, orange peels and beans. Each piece comes from the inspiration of the women in Colombia whose inspiration is stemmed from their rich and vibrant culture.
 

Five Accessories

Silver Recycled Bag

A Dima Family

Large Multicolored Bag

Honduras. In the mountainous region of Comayagua Honduras, litter, such as potato chip bags, are recycled into fashionable ecofriendly bags. This project of turning litter into bags was developed by socially conscious Honduran woman. The income derived from selling of these bags, proved to be a fair income and an ecofriendly alternative to the typical burning of trash. Dilma is a partner with the Trash Bag initiative. The initiative has helped support the health of her five daughters by having the means to buy medicine and a mattress. Five Accessories’ social enterprise is empowering people in developing countries by teaching skills as a means to fight poverty.
 

Kallari


 

Chocolate !!!

Ecuador. Over 850 indigenous Kichwa families in the Napo region of the Ecuadorian Amazon contribute to Kallari’s export of handcrafted goods and chocolate. The Kallari families, who farm in the isolated rainforests partake in biodiverse organic and environmentally sustainable practices. Kallari’s relationship with the Ecuadorian farmers ensures that the farmers are benefiting from their labor. Kallari chocolate supports social aims that include 100% return of the profits. The support goes to sustainable development, health and education programs, and at the same time protects the rainforest.
 

MayaWorks

Jewelry Bag

Chixot group

Yoga Mat

Guatemala. In the central highlands of Guatemala in San Juan Comalapa Chimaltenango, the 46 year old Angela Chipix Chali has woven for MayaWorks for the past ten years as a part of the Chixot group. Without permission to attend school, Angela began selling her weavings at fairs. Today, Angela is determined to provide a better life for her children by sending them to school. Her determination has provided as a positive example to her children. The Chixot group of 11 individuals are skilled sewers who excel at complicated sewn products. The group also has a chance to take part in MayaWorks commitment to education and can attend a 3 year literacy program, fulfilling Angela’s dream.
 

Greenheart

Groovy Mug

Green leaf bowl

 

Coffee bean mug

Mexico. Greenheart is working with Barro Sin Plomo partner artisans in Michoacán, Mexico to develop a collection of ceramic oven-to-table products. Barro Sin Plomo’s program transitions potters to lead-free pottery production, assists potters in marketing their lead-free products, and helps artisans build kilns which use 30% – 40% less fuel than traditional kilns. Substituting lead-free production methods protect the health of artisans and their communities.  Ines Leal, one of the artisans shown in this slideshow, recently expanded her workshop and employs 2 other women from her community. 
 

Mayu

Melange Hoodie

Diana

 
Alpaca Chullo

Peru. Mayu was started as a response to Kate Robertson’s experience in Peru with the Peace Corp. Mayu specializes in alpaca products from Peru. When an order is placed, alpaca wool is wound into the skeins to start the knitting process. The artisans knit in their homes or wherever they like, such a system makes it great for taking care of their children. Diana is one of Mayu’s most ambitious knitters. She is always willing to try something new! Diana is a single mother and supports her parents too. Through knitting for Mayu, Diana has generated additional income to purchase inventory for a small store. She spends much of her day multi-tasking -- knitting in her shop while serving her customers.