October is fair trade month, so as we close out the early fall and head straight toward the holidays, I thought I would share some of my very favorite places to purchase incredible products that are ethically sourced and many have a purpose beyond sheer consumption. Many of these items were made by artisans in another country and purchases dramatically impact quality of life and allow for education or access to healthcare. Some were made by women who have been rescued from sex trafficking and are finding a new life. Some have give back components so a certain dollar amount or percentage is provided directly to a certain tribe or people group within a country or region in need.
1. NOONDAY COLLECTION.
This is my very favorite place to get jewelry, or handbags, plus a few Christmas ornaments and even a Kimono. These pieces are made by artisans in various countries, are sold by women in the U.S. and a percentage of each sale supports adoption.
2. STARFISH PROJECT
There is some beautiful jewelry available for purchase and these pieces help women coming out of exploitation. 100% of your purchase is reinvested - and you’ll get a little card that tells you who made your product, so it is incredibly personal.
3. UBUNTU LIFE
All products are handmade in Kenya. Ubuntu Life is actually a non-profit so 100% of all profits support social impact programs - that means jobs, health, and education.
4. PREEMPTIVE LOVE
These products are made by refugees out of Iraq. There are candles, soaps, and the most incredible little dolls that are distinctly different than anything you’ll see in the states and give you a story to share with those you encounter.
5. SELA DESIGNS
This jewelry is all made from eco-friendly and ethically sourced products and is handmade in the USA. Additionally, 100% of profits are donated to charity.
6. KROCHET KIDS
I have several clothing items from Krochet Kids as well as beanies. They have now also released bags and housewares. Everything is beautiful and each product is hand-signed by the person who made it. The stories of the individual makers are available for you to read so you can know how each purchase makes a sustainable impact in a life somewhere in the world.
7. PURPOSE
This jewelry is beautiful and each purchase changes lives as it provides freedom for women escaping human trafficking. The proceeds support International Sanctuary, a non-profit that provides employment, education, medical care, & counseling to these women.
8. TRIBE ALIVE
These products are handmade by female artisans who are considered at-risk. These women are empowered by employment to rise out of poverty.
9. GLOBE IN
You can purchase unique products from all over the globe that are sourced from artisans and support developing countries where are the second largest source of employment. There is also an option to purchase a subscription to a monthly Artisan Box that is curated and allows for crowd-funding of a specific project.
10. SHINE PROJECT
These handmade jewels employ first generation college students!
11. SAK SAUM
My personal favorite is the Anna Wallet made from recycled cement bags by women in the Saang District of Cambodia who are in rehabilitation after exploitation.
12. THE GIVING KEYS
These beautiful necklaces provide jobs to individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The idea is that you wear the necklace with a word of inspiration stamped boldly on the front and then - when the right moment comes - you pass it on to someone else in need.
13. ABLE
I only have a few pieces from ABLE (an amazing bag, a great jean jacket) but the brand is focused on ending generational poverty. They pay fair wages to workers and invest in women. They are also completely transparent in their reporting - which is radical and may have an impact on the fashion industry as a whole.
14. RICE LOVE
If you buy one of these bags, you provide 1 kilo of rice (approximately 12 meals in total) to a family in need. The bags themselves are made from burlap and re-purposed authentic Rice Bags. They are beautiful and have so much purpose.
15. WESTROCK COFFEE
Rwandan Coffee is delicious and my heart is in Rwanda - so this one shouldn’t come as any surprise to you! Westrock Coffee is invested in the lives of the farmers and their families - this is FAIR TRADE COFFEE and it can be purchased at a reasonable price. There is no reason to ever purchase coffee at Costco again - buy on Amazon and know that your dollars are impacting coffee farmers IN RWANDA . This small change in where you purchase leads to sustainable growth and improved agricultural practices that will ultimately aid in providing for basic necessities such as education, access to clean water, and healthcare needs. WE NEED TO MAKE THIS SHIFT WITH OUR PURCHASING POWER.
16. THIRTY ONE BITS
This started as a jewelry company but ultimately has expanded to provide an abundance of products that empower artisans around the globe with dignified jobs.
17. PARKER CLAY
These beautiful hand crafted goods are made in Ethiopia in partnership with Women at risk. Purchases mean an investment in a better life for an Ethiopian woman or family and ultimately, prayerfully, a cultural shift or change.
18. BRANDED COLLECTIVE
This jewelry empowers survivors of human trafficking. There is a letter stamped onto each piece that represents the specific story of the survivor and you can hear the voices of those who have overcome much to pursue dreams anew.
19. SHOP-TROVE
Half the world’s population lives on the equivalent of $2 per day. Shop-Trove believes in creating jobs, celebrating artisan craft & culture, paying fair wages, designing affordable, stylish & inclusive products & then educating consumers about sustainable choices. These clothes are darling. They’re made in various countries around the globe (including Rwanda) and you can rock them and tell people WHY you are choosing to wear something that impacts others.
20. THE SHOP FORWARD - ESPWA
This tote is customizable and it supports spreading hope in Haiti!
21. MILK AND HONEY TEES
These are ethically sourced t-shirts and each purchase gives back to Africa New Life’s Dream Beauty Program - offering job training, childcare, and discipleship to vulnerable women in Rwanda!
22. BETTER LIFE BAGS
Their mission is to hire women with various employment barriers and train them to make the custom leather and fabric bags (and now earrings! and at Christmas AMAZING STOCKINGS!). I don’t actually HAVE a bag, but they are darn cute!
23. THE ROOT COLLECTIVE
There are not a lot of places to get ethically made shoes - but these are DARN CUTE ONES. They’re a more expensive price point, but they are comfortable and they last! Your purchase o these shoes make life better for the artisans who make them as they provide much needed jobs.
24. CUDDLE + KIND
These are about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. If you are going to a baby shower and need a gift, LOOK NO FURTHER! The purchase of one darling hand-knit doll provides 10 meals to children around the world.
25. CAUSEBOX
This is a monthly subscription that will introduce you to an abundance of incredible products that support socially conscious companies and products that do good. They partner and sever different charities to raise funds, reach people, and tell their stories. SO WORTH IT.
When I got home from Rwanda, my thought process about consumption and wealth changed dramatically. My love language is gifts and I adore choosing and intentionally investing in gifts for those I love. I also love that now I can take pride and have a deep sense of gratitude in knowing that these purchases have value beyond just the actual giving of an object - they impact lives beyond what I will ever see. My spending choices really do matter. It is something to consider this holiday season…and throughout all our days to come!
No comments:
Post a Comment