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Logan store promotes fair trade
movement
By Katie Krusi
May 5, 2009 | Shopping has seldom been so fun, or
rewarding.
Recycled paper picture frames, unique jewelry, mouth-watering
chocolate and handmade journals are just some of the
things that are being sold by Global Village Gifts.
Global Village Gifts is a completely nonprofit organization
focused on educating the public about fair trade and
the artisans from which they buy their products.
According to its Web site, Global Village Gifts opened
its doors Nov. 7, 2003, under the name Ten Thousand
Villages, Utah. Ten Thousand Villages remains its major
supplier since it became an independent company in 2005.
Stephanie Anderson, a volunteer of five months, said
that their other major supplier, SERRV International,
has a program to help sexually mutilated girls in Rwanda.
The company employs them under fair trade principles
and helps them make a living and survive while feeling
good about themselves and the work they are doing.
According to Anderson, Global Village Gifts purchases
goods from over thirty countries around the world.
Anderson also pointed out some stories on their website,
www.globalvillagegifts.org, that tell about some of
the programs in these countries.
One of these programs is the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative
in Ghana where cocoa farmers united to negotiate better
prices for their goods. They now represent 45,000 cocoa
farmers and are partners in Divine Chocolate Limited.
Kuapa Kokoo's cocoa growers receive above-market fair
trade prices for their goods and use this money to fund
community projects such as schools and wells.
According to the website, Ohemeng-Tinyase, managing
director of the program, said, "We all have to go shopping.
Fair Trade is just shopping with respect."
Angie Trunbo, a volunteer at Global Village Gifts,
said that all the artisans from which they buy goods
are paid up to 50 percent when orders are placed and
the rest when the entire order is completed.
The World Fair Trade Organization website said there
is more to fair trade than just paying an accepted price
for goods. According to WFTO, fair trade also includes
gender equality, child labor rights, working conditions
and the environment.
The WFTO said that fair trade actively encourages
better environmental practices and the application of
responsible methods of production.
Tyra Simmons, a long-time customer at Global Village
Gifts, said, "The fair trade movement is one of the
best things about shopping here. Not only can you find
super unique stuff, but you're helping out the world
while doing it."
Trunbo said volunteers make the fair trade payment
offered to artisans possible and Global Village Gifts
has new people volunteering weekly. Trunbo said she
came into the store with some friends to shop and ending
up volunteering the next day.
Trunbo's sudden volunteering was the same story many
of the volunteer's at the store had. Anderson said that
after seeing all the neat stuff and hearing the stories
behind them she "signed right up!"
Linda Bettinger, a new volunteer, said the store recruits
for everything from sales associates to store publicity
to computer work.
Trunbo said, "Volunteering here is so rewarding because
it's a chance to do something good. It's just a little
chance to help."
Anyone interested in volunteering can go to their
website to find out more or visit the store.
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