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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? |
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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. |
Some
of artisan’s stories, pictures, and products are highlighted below.
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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.
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Global Handmade Hope
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coconut
necklaces |

Blue orange peel set |
Cana
Flecha Cuff |
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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.
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Five Accessories |

Silver Recycled Bag |

A
Dima Family |

Large Multicolored Bag |
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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.
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Kallari
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Chocolate !!! |
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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.
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MayaWorks |

Jewelry Bag |

Chixot group |

Yoga Mat |
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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.
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Greenheart |

Groovy Mug |

Green leaf bowl |
Coffee bean mug |
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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.
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Mayu
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Melange Hoodie
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Diana |

Alpaca Chullo |
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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.
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And
there are so many more fair trade stories to tell and share.
Please help us!
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