A young girl in the slums of Bangladesh will eat today because of Fair Trade. Twelve-year-old Kursha lives with her mother and two brothers in a shack in one of Chittagong’s slums. Kursha’s mother earns about $25 each month cleaning houses. Rent and other monthly bills eat up the vast majority of her earnings. Little is left for food. But there is hope.
Kursha attends the Light of Hope Learning Center. Light of Hope provides education, life skills, health care, and the Gospel to at-risk girls in poverty. Light of Hope also teaches the older girls how to sew so they can participate in the Center’s handicraft business and receive fair wages. The wages Kursha earns making Fair Trade products helps feed the family.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade products are produced under standards designed to end and prevent poverty and its devastating consequences, such as human trafficking and hunger. Fair-trade buyers, ensure that artisans receive fair wages and that the goods purchased were produced in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner.
How can you help?
You can make a dent in poverty this Christmas, simply by including Fair Trade products on your gift buying list. Instead of spending all your Christmas shopping money at the mall or on Amazon, choose to buy fair trade products that support impoverished girls and women in third world countries. Involve your family too. Even the kids can browse online and help make gift selections that will make a difference.
I have seen the difference first-hand. I have traveled to Bangladesh twice to work with girls at the Light of Hope Learning Center in Chittagong. I have met Kursha and dozens of girls like her. The Fair Trade handicraft business at Light of Hope can mean the difference between hunger and food for these girls. Trafficking and safety.
Where can you purchase Fair Trade Products?
Although numerous sources exist, one I trust is WorldCrafts, which supports more than 70 artisan groups in over 30 countries around the world, including the Light of Hope Learning Center! Hear their commitment:
We are committed to our artisans for the long term. By investing in product development, maintaining certain levels of products orders, and encouraging sustainable production practices, we help create viable employment for women and men in poverty. Women no longer need to turn to prostitution for their next meal. Parents can provide education and nutrition to their children. Our standards guarantee impoverished families hope for a better life.
Added incentive for you to make difference!
I recently partnered with WorldCrafts to help promote their artisans. That’s why I can give you a little extra incentive to purchase. You can save up to 20% off your purchase of regularly priced WorldCrafts products with code KHWC15 until December 31, 2015!
In addition to all the other wonderful items, WorldCraft offers five products from the Light of Hope Learning Center. These products are made by the center’s older girls on peddle sewing machines (electricity is too fickle to trust!) and by hand. They each earn a fair wage plus a per item fee. Their earnings help provide for their families and instill hope for a better future.
A few ways you can help!
If you’d like to help make a real difference in the lives of impoverished people around the world here are a few ways you can help:
- Buy a Fair Trade product from WorldCrafts or another Fair Trade company.
- Share this post to encourage your friends and family to purchase Fair Trade products.
- Host a WorldCraft party and invite your friends!
- Host a BFF party! BFF is a ministry that advocates for the Light of Hope Learning Center. Share a wider range of Light of Hope handicrafts with your friends. If you live close enough to me, I would love to come and talk about Bangladesh and Light of Hope.
How will you commit to help today? I’d love to hear about it!
Kathy encourages women to live an unshakeable faith for life by standing firm on our rock-solid God no matter the circumstances. The author of six books, Kathy also has a Masters in Christian Education. She has taught the Bible for over 25 years and speaks regularly at women’s events.
Kathy and her husband live in the Houston area. They have three children, two sons-in-law, and one grandson. Find out more and get discipleship tools and leader helps at her website: www.kathyhoward.org.
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