At Shop to Change a Life, founder and author Samira Rao features Fair Trade Products that are imported from India. Samira donates 6% of the net sales of the Fair Trade Products sold on Shop to Change a Life to Chinmaya Vijaya, a girls’ orphanage in Vijayawada, India, and to The Child Evaluation Clinic (for sexual abuse in children) at the McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan.
Check out some of the unique products on her site:
Maharani Earrings
Item description:
These beautiful earrings feature a silver and gold loop with cutout filigree and small beads.
The story behind them:
The Ana Art Group began as a small artisan movement working from tiny, congested work spaces in Old Delhi. They are now a large community with an increase in education and improvements in health and environmental impacts. In the past 3 years, the group has grown from 15 members to 100. Wages have also increased for this group and family income is about 20-25% higher than standard for artisan work in their area. The increase in wages and community growth is due to the sustainable and continuous work the artisans have received and has allowed them to fulfill their basic requirements for a decent living. In the communities in this area, it is very common to send children to work after their 5th standard, in order to help earn income and help support the family. However, due to the sustainable growth of this community and the counseling SETU has provided the artisans, the group has begun keeping their children in schools. Even girls are beginning to attend school! The average literacy of the group has increased to 10th standard and the artisans are very proud that their children are capable of furthering their education. Artisans have opened up so much to the idea of education that they have even arranged night classes for themselves. The community expressed their excitement for the first member of the group to attend college!
Floral Hand-Painted Papier Maché Bud Vases
Item description:
These curvy bud vases in yellow, turquoise and pink are each handpainted with a floral pattern. Fill them with dry or fake flowers or display on their own as sculptural pieces.
The story behind them:
The Persian art of papier maché was brought to the Himalayan region of northern India centuries ago. Today the state of Kashmir is home to thousands of artisans who craft papier maché products for their livelihood. Artisans first soak used newspaper for several days until the paper disintegrates, then mix it with cloth, rice or straw to form a pulp. The mixture is molded, dried and cut into shape. Artisans coat the surface with glue paste, rub it smooth with baked clay, and paste layers of tissue papers. The base color and motifs are all created freehand with non-toxic paints, then burnished and coated with lacquer. Once known as “Paradise on Earth,” Kashmir suffered a dramatic decline in its once booming tourism industry due to violent territory disputes between India and Pakistan. Industry jobs are scarce and farming is impossible, so most villagers rely on craft production. With design assistance, training and a fair income partnership, the small group has expanded from 6 to 20 artisans. They now have access to new markets and are able to live better lives.
Indian Rosewood Tops
Item description:
This wooden top is fun and fair! It is made of wooden pieces of different colors and carved into a smooth shape.
The story behind them:
The traditional craft of woodcarving plays an important role for many Muslim artisan communities in small towns and agricultural villages in north central India. Each artisan uses hand tools to skillfully carve blocks of sustainable Indian Rosewood into fine treasures. This art form requires mastery to create the intricate carving, filigree and inlay work. Many of the patterns are deeply influenced by cultural motifs from Muslim dynasties that ruled the region centuries ago. Artisans finish and detail each item with natural wax and non-toxic paints. The woodcraft partner artisans belong to collectives in the region that provide basic services and development solutions to enable self-sufficiency, including healthcare and education. Literacy rates and income opportunities are quite limited in the area, so woodcraft production is vital for community livelihoods. Most woodcraft artisans are men, and some women work in finishing and production assembly. The main focus for their continued development is sustainable income generation, skills development and raw material allocation.
Tree of Life Cuff
Item description:
This adjustable bracelet is made of silver plated brass and is intricately etched with vines and flowers and framed with beaded edges for a bold and sophisticated statement.
The story behind them:
Ornate jewelry is a proud cultural tradition in India, and every piece in this collection hints at a deeper story. In the sprawling urban center of Old Delhi, this partner group of nearly 80 artisans delicately bends, etches, beads and polishes jewelry from stones, glass, upcycled metal and wires, seeds, bone and other materials. They inherit their craftsmanship from their ancestors, who were master jewelers. In 2009, Matr Boomie, the fairtrade wholesaler Samira supports, was contacted by Sana, the young daughter of an artisan in this mostly Muslim group, who was dissatisfied with the exploitative treatment of her family and community by local tradesmen. Since their fair trade partnership began, their earnings have doubled, they have upgraded to better workspace, and children are staying in school longer. In fact, Sana became the first girl in her village to attend college!
Visit Shop to Change a Life and make a purchase to help support these worthy causes. Their beautiful jewelry, handbags and scarves, children’s toys, decorative accessories, and more make treasured gifts and unique collectibles!
GIVEAWAY
Samira is generously donating one of each of the products featured above for a giveaway. One winner will receive the earrings; a second winner will receive the vase; a third winner will receive the top; a fourth winner will receive the cuff. Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Monday, January 12, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Susan Heim on Parenting is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
