Fair Trade Connections
Artisans Effort -India
Artisans Effort was founded in Calcutta, West Bengal, India in October, 2003. The founding members were a group of artisans, all specialists in their own fields eg embroidery, leather, jewellery, paper products etc. They came together as they had heard about fair trade . They heard that with fair trade you are treated with respect, that a fair price is paid and that a good relationship is built between the producer and seller. All these artisans had been previously treated badly. They had problems being paid, there was irregularity of work and above all were rudely treated.
Slowly this group learned more about fair trade procedures and attended the Fair Trade Forum in India.
Today there are more than 150 families involved with Artisans Effort. 60% are women and 40% are men. Since Artisans Effort is an artisans based organization, the artisans needs and difficulties are very closely understood.
At present, Artisans Effort looks after the education responsibility of poor and needy children from Asansol (West Bengal ) Their books, uniforms and school fees are paid for.
Artisans Effort proposes that in the future they will open a school for poor and needy children.
Slowly this group learned more about fair trade procedures and attended the Fair Trade Forum in India.
Today there are more than 150 families involved with Artisans Effort. 60% are women and 40% are men. Since Artisans Effort is an artisans based organization, the artisans needs and difficulties are very closely understood.
At present, Artisans Effort looks after the education responsibility of poor and needy children from Asansol (West Bengal ) Their books, uniforms and school fees are paid for.
Artisans Effort proposes that in the future they will open a school for poor and needy children.
Shohojogita Bangladesh
Outside of Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh is the remote village of Mirzapur in the Gazipur region. Here live women who have exquisite hand embroidery skills. They are so talented. You name it and they can embroider it, butterflies, dragonflies, elephants, tigers and peacocks to name a few.
Miss Sheuly, a very talented woman is the leader of the embroidery group. Over a period of time, three other women have become involved with the hand embroidery. These women who had no previous experience , have been taught to stitch perfectly by Miss Sheuly. Practice work is needed to be of a high standard before the women are accepted to fulfil orders for the international market. All the women are illiterate and from poor circumstances. They now work happily handworking their rich embroideries . When the fair trade organization Shohojogita receives orders, the materials and threads along with the embroidery instructions are taken to the village. All the women are so thankful to have this work .
Miss Sheuly, a very talented woman is the leader of the embroidery group. Over a period of time, three other women have become involved with the hand embroidery. These women who had no previous experience , have been taught to stitch perfectly by Miss Sheuly. Practice work is needed to be of a high standard before the women are accepted to fulfil orders for the international market. All the women are illiterate and from poor circumstances. They now work happily handworking their rich embroideries . When the fair trade organization Shohojogita receives orders, the materials and threads along with the embroidery instructions are taken to the village. All the women are so thankful to have this work .
Corr the Jute Works
Corr the Jute Works was established in 1973 with the objective of providing work and an income to the poor rural women. At present the Jute Works is assisting over 7000 women in sixteen districts of Bangladesh. The Jute Works is a self supporting ,non- profit, charitable organization which benefits the rural women . With the opportunity to make craft and have markets for the craft, the women are empowered and have an income to help supplement the meager family income.
Jute is the "Golden Fiber " of Bangladesh. It is a vegetable fiber derived from the bark of an annual reed like plant. The plant grows eight to ten feet high. Women use the thread from the jute plant to make a wonderful array of items including bags, toys, table mats, sikas , home accessories and decorations. Craft is also made from other raw materials including bamboo, cane, clay and wood
Jute is the "Golden Fiber " of Bangladesh. It is a vegetable fiber derived from the bark of an annual reed like plant. The plant grows eight to ten feet high. Women use the thread from the jute plant to make a wonderful array of items including bags, toys, table mats, sikas , home accessories and decorations. Craft is also made from other raw materials including bamboo, cane, clay and wood
ThaiCraft Association
The ThaiCraft Association is a non- profit organization whose objectives are to provide sustainable income for village artisans whilst preserving the diverse craft traditions of Thailand. Since ThaiCraft was established in 1992, more than 80 producer groups have been assisted in the production and marketing of their craft. Many diverse groups from the Hilltribe Minorities in the north, to rice paddy workers living in isolated areas, to fishing communities in the deep south have been assisted. ThaiCraft is a member of International Federation for Alternate Trade (IFAT) and abides by the principles of fair trade.
Prokritree Bangladesh
Prokritee and its 8 enterprises provide jobs for poor rural women. The women who work for the enterprises are widows, divorcees or head-of-households with little or no income. By providing jobs for women, Prokritee is able to improve the women's standard of living and help them send their children to school. Now they are able to look at the future with hope and happiness, instead of poverty and despair.