We are a Non-profit Grassroots Community Development Organization. Our purpose is to reduce poverty around the world and at the same time protect the environment by EDUCATING THE WORLD about sustainable ways to end poverty, DIRECT INVESTMENT in specific projects in the developing world, and SELLING FAIR TRADE CRAFTS via this Online Global Marketplace and to return as much of the sales price as possible to the local artist.

Pictured here are women in a remote village overlooking Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. They are sixteen Tz'utujil Maya women working together to crochet colorful high quality hats for children as well as pouches and bags. This artisan group calls themselves 'Flor Clarence' after a native flower.

EDUCATING THE WORLD

We know how to end poverty around the world. We do not have the political will to do it. We will bring forward the best ideas and policies in an effort to create public support for ending world wide poverty. What is most exciting is that we can end poverty and greatly reduce global warming at the same time.

We support the goals of the United Nations Poverty-Environment Partnership. It is an informal network of development agencies that aims to address key poverty-environment issues within the framework of international efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, by: (1) sharing knowledge and operational experience; (2) identifying ways and means to improve coordination and collaboration at country and policy levels; and (3) developing and implementing joint activities.

For more information about this program click on the OUR MISSION and related links on the left side of this page.

DIRECT INVESTMENT

We have set up an investment account with KIVA to make direct microcredit loans to individuals and small busniesses in the developing world. Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending organization, empowering individuals and organizations to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Kiva partners with existing expert microfinance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs.

For more information about this program click on the DIRECT INVESTMENT and related links on the left side of this page.

SELLING FAIR TRADE CRAFTS

Our mission is to help low income Craft Producers in Developing Nations market their crafts in the United States. We fulfill this mission now by purchasing these crafts directly from the people who make them - the Producers - and retailing them to you on this web site.

We sell only Fair Trade Crafts. We believe this is the best way to end poverty around the world. Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading. By approaching development as a whole process (rather than just a fair price), fair trade organizations cultivate partnerships with their suppliers and contribute to the development of communities. Fair trade is not about charity; it uses a fairer system of exchange to empower producers and to create sustainable, positive change.

We buy only from approved fair trade organizations so we can be certain fair trade practices have been followed in the making of these crafts, and that the producers are the ones who are receiving the benefit.

We believe in the principles of the Fair Trade Federations values that include: Trade as a Force for Positive Change, Respectful Partnerships, Community, Sustainable Practices, Fullest Commitment, and Consumer Knowledge. For details about these principles just visit the Fair Trade Federation web site using the link below:

www.FairTradeFederation.com


Here are some of the artists whos crafts and jewelry will appear in our Online Marketplace. Sooon we will list below some of the web sites where our products are listed.

For more information about this program click on the ONLINE SHOPPING and related links on the left side of this page.



  This woman from ArtCamp in Mexico is working on her jewelry.  Here are some women from the group Mahaguthi, Craft With a Conscience working on a project in Katmandu, Nepal.   This man from Comparte in Chile is working on his pottery.

 
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FREE SHIPPING VIA FIRST CLASS/PARCEL POST MAIL! PRIORITY MAIL IS AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA $10.00!

 WE USUALLY SHIP THE DAY AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR ORDER OUT MINIMUM ORDER IS $4.00

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We accept these forms of payment at this site.