On Saturday, October 27, at St. Mark's United Church Mission & Outreach Committee is investing in the lives of artisans around the world by selling exquisite, handcrafted gifts and home décor. The event, to be held at St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St., offers an opportunity for citizens of Port Hawkesbury, NS to make a global difference by shopping fair trade. Shoppers will also learn more about skilled artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In its 11th the sales will showcase a beautiful assortment of musical instruments, pottery, jewellery, baskets, toys, crèches and hand loomed textiles.
As a newlywed, Huynh Thi Sanh left behind the rice paddies of her little village as she and her husband moved to the big city to find work. During the Vietnam War, her husband was killed, leaving her and their five children in desperate straits. For many years she worked long and hard, selling porridge, duck eggs and fruit. Now in her late 70's, and living with her son and his family, Ms. Sanh still needs to work. Businesses in Ho Chi Minh City have no need to hire an elderly woman, so she is glad she can work from home, sewing the traditionally-dressed dolls for Mai Handicrafts.
Her son has polio, and so he can no longer support his family driving a cyclo, (bicycle taxi), as he once did. Her daughter-in-law, Hanh, works as many hours as she can, saving money to send their son to school She works part-time for Mai Handicrafts stuffing the small dolls that Ms. Sanh makes, and has a second job as a house cleaner. They hope to make it possible for the grandson to fulfill his dream of becoming an architect.
For struggling families like this, Mai Handicrafts and sales at Ten Thousand Villages make an enormous difference. Not only do they provide the dignity of a livelihood, they give hope of a more secure future. When Ms. Sanh is asked if Ten Thousand Villages makes a difference, she answers with a resounding, “Yes!” The fifty percent advance, and decent prices paid in cash provides Ms. Sanh with much-needed stability and independence.
Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. We provide vital, fair income to these Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This income helps pay for food, education, health care, and housing. Ten Thousand Villages works with over 150 different artisans groups from 35 countries across the globe.
“By holding this sale, we’re giving customers in Port Hawkesbury, a chance to buy unique products while helping people in developing countries to meet basic needs for themselves and
their family. Together we are making a global difference,” says Lana MacLean, sale organizer.
Ms. Sanh would be happy to announce that the St. Mark's United Church Mission & Outreach Committee is hosting a Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale at St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St., (Corner of Pitt St.), Port Hawkesbury on Saturday, October 27 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Every purchase makes a difference to each family represented at our festival sale!
All proceeds of the sale support artisans partnered with Ten Thousand Villages, the oldest and largest Fair Trade Organization in North America, (over 60 years). The sale owes its success to dedicated local volunteers.
For more information on the Port Hawkesbury sale contact Lana, Maclean at 625-0447.
Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. Ten Thousand Villages is in its 61st year of operation.
http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca
