5 Gifts That Empower Artisans
Looking for gifts with a little extra holiday magic? Shopping fair trade has its own superpower. Every item is handmade by artisans who are supported by your purchase. You get to give a unique handmade gift and give back to artisan communities all in one go.
Each fair trade purchase supports artisans through fair pay, a safe working environment, sustainable materials, and transparent practices. These 5 gift ideas empower artisans around the globe.
1. Handcrafted Jewelry from Kenya: Mercy House Global
Forged in Hope, a Mercy House Global group from Kibera slum in Kenya, handcrafts jewelry and home décor from brass, wood, and horn.
Your purchase allows them to reinvest in businesses in Kibera, fostering local economic growth, promoting empowerment, and sustainability.
2. Handwoven Baskets from Guatemala: Mayan Hands
Mayan Hands is a fair-trade nonprofit dedicated to providing economic and educational opportunities to Maya women and girls, so that they can build sustainable futures for themselves, their families, and communities. All of this while they continue to live within the culture they cherish.
This basket is handwoven by women in the El Triunfo cooperative, a group that formed after the difficulty of travel to work in other areas. Thanks to Mayan Hands, they were able to form a co-op where they could learn new skills and work without difficult travel.
3. Fair Trade Chocolate from Around The World: Equal Exchange
Equal Exchange’s mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound.
This chocolate bar is made from organic cacao from the Dominican Republic and Peru, organic sugar from Paraguay and Costa Rica, and organic vanilla from Madagascar, all grown by small farmer co-ops. When farmers organize into co-ops, they gain crucial market access, run their business democratically, and decide together how to invest in their communities.
4. Candles Handpoured in Chicago: Bright Endeavors
Bright Endeavors hosts a paid job training program for young moms where they gain career skills, a professional network, and a set of tools to help them thrive in their chosen profession, all while learning what is required to power a manufacturing and distribution operation for their growing home fragrance brand.
5. Handmade Bags from The Himalayas: JOYN
JOYN creates handmade bags and block printing supplies from their studio in the foothills of the Himalayas. Everything is fair trade and handmade.
This bag is crafted from leather remnants and hand-stitched in their studio. The interior is block-printed cotton canvas, adding color and pattern inside. Every piece is signed by its maker.
When you shop from these fair trade brands, you give more than just a gift; you give back to the communities that craft them and support a better world. Ready to empower some artisans? Shop these 5 awesome gifts and more at Latitudes Fair Trade Store today.