Supporting Artisans Worldwide
By columnist Jill aka: JillysStuff
I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet. -Anonymous
Have you heard that quote before? It was brought home to me the other day.
As I scan my shop and many other shops on Zibbet, Etsy, Artfire and Folksy, I can see how blessed we are to have the freedom to sell our crafts. But as I was browsing the blogs, I found that there are women and men who aren’t as fortunate as we are.
I found a website called World Crafts Village, and stopped to have a look.
World Crafts Village is a nonprofit organization that imports crafts from impoverished artisans and sells them by fair trade. Not a new concept but one that deserves a little more attention. By supporting these artisans, they are assisting them to be productive, and make an honest living to support their families. No exploitation.

Amofavelas
Amidst the Brazilian slums, known as favelas, criminals and drug dealers run rampant and disease and dire poverty dominate. Yet, here, women gather and they carefully paint dishtowels, make soap, crochet clothes, and weave ribbon. Although these women live in shacks—without running water, electricity, or a sewage system—they use their skills to help provide a better life for their families. One woman—mother to three children—was able to move to a new town, purchase land, and give her family new opportunities by using her earnings from her handpainted dishtowels.
I can’t imagine, even in my wildest dreams, living like this. Do I feel spoiled? Yes.
Nanyok
Although the Maasai women of Tanzania who formed Nanyok are no longer nomadic, their lives revolve around livestock. The five-month dry season kills the grass, leaving the goats to die, meaning no milk for Maasai children. Each eight-strand beaded bracelet sold through Nanyok creates a savings fund for new goats. In the past year, the women saved $150 from the bracelets and bought 15 goats to nourish their children.

These are just two of the stories that got me going. I am not a strong advocate of anything but I feel that, by writing this, I am doing my part in helping this organization and the people they support. It’s not much, just a small contribution.

There are many more stories from countries all over the world. World Craft Villages have groups in –
Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Laos, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, West Bank, Zimbabwe.

So, as we support each other we should also be getting the word out about all of those who are not as lucky as we are. Drop by World Craft Villages and help support this company in their effort to help those climb out of the oppression and depression of poverty. Even the smallest of gestures would help. A tweet, blog message or discussion is a start. Isn’t that what we are all about – Artisans helping fellow Artisans.
Photos courtesy of World Crafts Village












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