This wonderful video is the result of our trip to India with partner Matr Boomie earlier this year. We think it does a beautiful job of capturing the spirit of the artisans and the kinship we felt with our global family.
ALL ONE. ALL KIN. from Matr Boomie on Vimeo.
On March 11-13 of this year, many jewelry artisans and their families benefited from a free eye clinic in New Delhi. This clinic was sponsored by Latitudes Fair Trade stores with funds raised from our generous customers and administered in partnership with fair trade wholesale partner Matr Boomie's non-profit organization, SETU.
These artisans create most of the jewelry pieces for Matr Boomie. The community consists mainly of families who have been practicing this craft for generations. Many artisans are either unaware about the importance of regular health care, or proper eye care is not accessible. As jewelry making requires attention to minute details, regular eye check-ups and proper eye care is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and a sustainable income.
SETU's preparations for the eye check up camp involved liaison and sending notification to health and CMO departments, making and distributing pamphlets and banners, door to door mobilization, informing and motivating various artisans and their families about the camp and its benefits, consulting and hiring doctors and their support staff, hiring opticians for preparing the eyeglasses, and purchasing optical frames and medicines.
A team of expert ophthalmologists were appointed for the camp. Eye specialists carried out routine eye checkups for the artisans. Participants were given a chance to select the eyeglass frames of their choice and they were quite happy with this, especially the women, who participated in the camp quite enthusiastically!
With a great positive response from the artisans on the first day of the clinic, word spread throughout the community and there was an overwhelming rush in the second and third days of the camp. The camps stretched non-stop till 9:30 pm in the evening!
About 238 artisans and their families received free eye exams, medicine, and general health check-ups and consultations. 214 received free eyeglasses. The artisans were most appreciative of the clinic, and to the customers of Latitudes that made it possible. Thank you!
Mark your calendars for our second annual Wear Fair Fashion Show on Friday, May 13th! The show will start at 7pm at the Warrenton Presbyterian Church Hall at 91 Main Street in Warrenton, VIrginia. 14 models, 26 ways to 'wear fair', raffles, refreshments, artisan videos, and the promise of a really good time! Tickets are available in advance for $4 each at the Warrenton and Fredericksburg store locations, or $5 at the door.
Latitudes store owners Lee and Terry Owsley and daughter Anna Schoenduby, along with other independent fair trade store representatives from across the United States, had the opportunity this March to visit artisans in India with our host and wholesale partner Matr Boomie.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi
We had to wear head coverings when visiting this Sikh temple. We met a local Sikh tourist who told us stories of healings from the pool of water behind us.
This kitchen prepares all the food for the free meals provided below.
They feed 5000 people three meals daily in a very orderly fashion. It is not unusual for people to sit on the floor. In fact, all the groups we visited sat on the floor, often for hours while doing their work. We found it difficult to sit like that for anything longer than a few minutes, but suppose if that's what you're always done, then you're used to it.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the largest Sikh temple in New Delhi.
Very Special Arts, South Delhi
The students performed a song and dance routine for us. It was very touching for us to see their enthusiasm and joy in celebrating our visit.
This young woman, Rani, is practicing her block printing on newspaper before advancing to cloth. This man is using recycled plastic for handloom weaving bags and purses.
Since its inception in 1997, the Very Special Arts group in South Delhi provides therapy through art to children and adults with disabilities. Young adults in the vocational training program learn how to weave with plastic bag strips and cassette tape and make beautiful bags with recycled material. It was so inspiring to see the joy on the children's faces. The group's founder is Ms. Meera G. She is an energetic 75 years old (she is standing the second from the right of the boy in the wheelchair).
Jewelry Group, Old Delhi
This man named Mulla is an expert in beaded jewelry. He took a special interest in training Terry in the art of poking a hooked needle through a bead and cloth and then pulling a thread from the bottom and then back through. He made it look easy!
If you've purchased a Buddha knot piece of jewelry it was made by the man whose hands are pictured here. He has made every Buddha knot piece sold by Matr Boomie.
Mulla has one hand on top and the other hand is underneath threading the hooked needle from under the cloth. He must turn the needle between his thumb and forefinger a quarter turn each time.
Last summer, we began accepting donations at our stores to sponsor an eye clinic in partnership with Matr Boomie's non-profit organization, SETU. Once enough funds were raised, the clinic was scheduled and took place shortly before our visit. These artisans create most of the jewelry pieces for Matr Boomie, was the beneficiary of the clinic that our customers sponsored. Initially the clinic had only a few patients and they were about to shut it down, but once the community saw the help that was being provided more and more people came and the clinic had to be extended three more days to accommodate everyone. About 240 artisans and their families received free eye exams, medicine, and glasses, and were most appreciative of our efforts to make that possible. Thanks to our customers for your contributions to make this happen! Mr. Nasim, pictured with Terry and Lee, is the head of this jewelry making group and provides employment to several hundred artisans.
This photo was taken in a cricket yard right outside the door of the jewelry workshop. The boys loved trying to get us to play! It felt like a close knit community and we were honored to be a part of it in some way.
Look Good, Feel Good, Wear Fair!
We are looking for models for our 2nd Annual Latitudes Fashion Show.
Latitudes Fair Trade Store in Old Town Warrenton sells products made around the world by workers paid a livable and sustainable wage. Our clothing items are made in India, Nepal, Ghana, and Peru.
Our show, showcasing the best of Fair Trade clothing, will be May 13th at 7pm in Warrenton Presbyterian hall directly across from our store. We are looking for local, willing citizens of all ages, styles, and stories.
Models will be styled on the afternoon of May 13th by the incredible salons of Old Town Warrenton: Bella Vita Holistic Skincare, Yoga & Wellness Spa, Salon Emage Day Spa, Michelle Viscal of Emeralds Salon, Lisa Trozzo of Salon Trozzo at 68 Main Street, Jessica Griffith of The Fifth Street Salon, Tory Tippet of The Secret Garden Salon, and Jacquelyn Rodriguez of Enlightened Styles.
If you have the time and desire to be one of our models, please answer a few questions here on the Wear Fair 2016 Fashion Show application before March 28th.
All models will be notified by April 2nd.
Please be sure to mark your calendars for May 13th for the Wear Fair Fashion show!