Handmade Bags-Origins

Fair trade practices are used to give our artisans self sufficiency, self confidence, and pride in their art. We are working to improve their overall state of development including health care and education. At the same time, we use recycled/reused materials/processes so our products are environmentally responsible. Our goal is to promote economic and social well-being in the world.  We strive to increase awareness about fair trade and social responsibility. Contributions are made to the following projects: CRC Partnership (medical benefits for artisans); Solar Panels Illuminate Desert Villages; Amar Jyoti (education project); Kala Raksha Vidyalaya  (protecting art project); DSS Flood Relief; Dolls & Toys Distribution (Charity USA); Vidya Archana (“worship knowledge”)

Joeys from Guatemala

These products are lovingly handcrafted in the highlands of Guatemala. Artisans are treated with respect and work in a safe and clean environment with adherence to the highest level of ethics and principles. Mothers even have the option of working at home so they can more easily care for their children. Contributions are made to Pueblo a Pueblo, a local Guatemalan charity that funds the village hospital and other grass roots projects.

 Joeys from Thailand

Over 400 neighbors in this rural land outside Chiang Mai work together to produce these art pieces. They are able to remain in their homeland and utilize traditional metalworking skills.  Fortunately, all of these jobs are honest, clean, and economical. No one thinks of dumping trash in rivers or landfills because the villagers work right where they live. No lead or any other dangerous chemicals are used in the products. The Thai villagers are glad for the opportunity to improve the lives of their children. These are people who cherish family, food, and friendship; they are welcoming and overflowing with hospitality and kindness. More importantly, these Thai people are proud to preserve their village traditions and happy to be close to each other. They appreciate being able to sustains their way of life, and they are pleased to learn that others enjoy the projects they create. Look for the light of these admirable people inside of each product.

Joeys from Peru

The Emadi artisan group includes five women who have developed a sewing business that specializes in products made from Shipibo, a hand-painted cloth that is produced in the Peruvian jungle. Grupo Emadi buys the cloth directly from a Shipibo woman and sews placemats, runners, purses, bags, vests, and other products that show off the incredible material. The women, who have worked together for 3 years, meet in a room of one of their homes each day for a couple of hours.  From their sales, Grupo Emadi has invested in a sewing machine and materials in bulk so they can produce steadily throughout the year.  As a small group they make their decisions by consensus and rotate each year the location of their workshop and who is responsible for the finances. Fair Trade has taught the group how to file taxes and how to manage and operate a legal business. Grupo Emadi often goes to fairs in Lima to sell their products and those of other artisan groups who live outside of Lima and otherwise wouldn`t have the opportunity to sell. Their good recordkeeping and willingness to sell has been deeply appreciated by others. The women of Grupo Emadi met each other through a project in which their children received after-school enrichment. Maria was a seamstress who worked in her home sewing for neighbors. Eluteria and Dionisia cooked in the project´s kitchen as volunteers so that their children could get one free meal. Maria has 3 children and her husband makes jewelry. Eluteria has 4 children and her husband does day work when there are jobs available. Dionisia has 3 children, one of whom is now able to attend a special school for those with Down´s Syndrome thanks to the income she receives from her Fair Trade creations. 

Shanzu: Started as a Girl Guide project in Eastern Kenya in 1992, Shanzu Transitional Workshop enables young women with disabilities to gain skills that enable them to become productive and confident members of the community and society. The girls arrive at Shanzu at the age of 17 to start a two-year training program. During their stay they learn production skills and tailoring, as well as gain basic business experience and a vast array of other skills. Upon completion of the two-year training, each girl leaves with a tailoring qualification, a sewing machine and personal skills that better equip her for an independent life. Many of the graduates continue to work with Shanzu, producing products for export orders.

The girls and graduates are paid a share of the profits when their work is sold to tourists and passers-by and now internationally through fair trade organizations. All of the products carry the distinctive Shanzu patch, not hidden inside but proudly sewn where everyone can see it.

Manta:  Bridge of Hope is a network made up of 14 community groups, churches and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who believe that, in this era of globalization, it is important to work on the international level as well as local to have a real impact on the policies which define the context within which poor and marginalized people live.

Bridge of Hope works to strengthen the capacities of local and participating institutions to work with base communities while respecting human dignity through exercising fair democratic business practices.