Manumit sources from several fair trade organisations in the developing world, including:
MADE IN INDIA (FASHION JEWELLERY)
Our fair trade fashion jewellery collections are handmade in India by a not for profit fair trade organisation who is serving downtrodden and deprived sections of society, working against child labour, exploitation, poverty, illiteracy and slavery of artisans. Their fair trade products include not only fair trade fashion jewellery, but fair trade fashion and home accessories.
• Trading since the early 70’s to help craft workers become self sufficient & gain dignity
• Supporting 25 community based groups
• Fighting exploitation, poverty, illiteracy & slavery of artisans
• Eradicating child labour
• Developing skills
• Providing access to international markets
• Member of WFTO
Quotes from workers:
“We have the feeling that we have at last found our way! I thought: we can do something constructive in life. We all work hard with honesty and dedication”
“I am happy that I can earn money, because now I can support my younger sister through school – I did not have that opportunity”
Their president:
“I promise to keep our fair trade work running vigorously, especially the work of joining child labourers & other deserving children with education, liberating them from their lifelong servitude as far as possible and working to the ultimate goal that all trade becomes fair trade in the end”
MADE IN INDIA (LEATHER & PRINTED CANVAS BAGS)
Our beautiful leather bags and printed canvas bags are made by our fair trade producer who started their fair trade journey back in 1994 with the objective of providing support to artisans and craftsmen who are talented in traditional crafts but have no access to regional or international markets. Since inception, they have developed communities for artisans and provided both informal and vocational training to artisans to help further improve income opportunities through skill upgrades. Our producer also keeps vigil on ensuring artisans get fair wages in local, regional and international markets for their products with transparency and social accountability. At present they are providing financial, technical and marketing support to 31 artisan groups.
• Trading since 1994
• Supporting 31 community based artisan groups
• Providing access to local, regional and international markets
• Capacity building
• Informal and vocational training in the latest technology and production skills
• Rejuvenating dying handicrafts and traditions
• Working on environmental protection and recycling
• Member of WFTO
MADE IN VIETNAM (FABRIC BAGS, SCARVES & ACCESSORIES)
Our fair trade bags and scarves are made in Vietnam by an organisation whose mission is to produce and sell Vietnamese handicraft products that are made under fair trade conditions. There aim is to expand their customer base so that they can in turn expand workshop capacity, which helps to provide more secure and decent employment opportunities to disadvantaged women and farmers. They provide life changing training in tailoring skills and bring smiles to these two extremely marginalized groups in society.
Farmers earn low and inconsistent income. They are trained to be skilful tailors and with chance of work, they can earn a good income which allows their families to have a good standard of living and also send their children to school. Furthermore, national insurance contributions are made for them to cover medical costs and provide a pension for retirement. Our organisation also supports and trains disabled women to enable them to earn decent living, gain self-confident and retain their dignity.
Besides livelihood, the artisans are always provided chance for development. They are educated on product quality and also on fair trade principles. Any artisan who works well has a chance to be appointed to the master of the group and is trained to develop designs and become skilled, experienced, creative and reputable artisans in their own right.
• Offering secure & fair trade working opportunities to disadvantaged women & farmers
• Providing life changing training in tailoring skills, enabling them to earn a decent living, gain self confidence & retain their dignity
• Bringing smiles to these two extremely marginalized groups in society
• National insurance contributions are also made for them to cover medical costs and provide a pension for retirement
• Member of WFTO
Quotes from workers:
“With a chance of work, we can earn a good income, which allows our families to have a (good) standard of living and also send our children to school”
MADE IN CHILE (GLASS JEWELLERY)
Our fair trade glass jewellery collections are handmade in Chile by a not for profit fair trade organisation, whose mission is to improve the lives of economically struggling workshops and artisan groups throughout Chile by promoting and exporting the handicrafts they design and create, as well as working with the artists to improve their business practices and continually develop new products that stay true to their traditions.
• A Chilean handicraft organisation who provides assistance to 400+ artisans
• Using only natural resources such as glass, silver & copper
• Promoting the concept of fair trade country wide and providing opportunity for international trade
• Member of WFTO
MADE IN KENYA (TRADITIONAL TRIBAL JEWELLERY)
The small business enterprise we work with in the Mathare Valley, one of the oldest and largest slums in Nairobi, Kenya was founded in 1984 by 3 young artisans who learnt their handicraft skills on a training programme offered by the National Council of Churches of Kenya. Their objective was to create a decent and more reliable way of earning a living for the slum people, and mainly for the youths whom, due to hopelessness, turned to delinquency and alcoholism.
The artisans employed by this fair trade organisation are trained on the job not only in the craft of jewellery making but also in the traditions of the Kenyan tribes and take these influences to create their own unique designs. Artisans are paid a monthly wage as well as other benefits such as annual leave, overtime, pensions, savings programme and emergency and development loans.
* Small enterprise in the Mathare Valley, one of the largest and oldest slums in Nairobi
* Founded in 1984 by 3 young artisans after a Church training programme
* Their objective is to create a decent and more reliable way of earning a living
* Benefits include a monthly wage, annual leave, overtime, pensions, savings and loans
* Member of WFTO
Quote from their founder and manager:
“I believe that economic opportunity, rather than handouts from government or charities, is the most effective way to address poverty and I remain committed to the people of my community to provide employment opportunities for them.”
