Every product you see in The Fair Trade Shop Philippines has a human story behind it. Let us share those stories with you.
“Now there is light”
Late last December 2009, we were sitting at a local school that was created to provide scholarship education to students in a nearby urban poor community, talking with some of the mothers who belong to a group called “Women of Quijano”. They were very thankful; because of the school’s holistic approach, they were given a chance to create livelihoods for themselves, turning trash into treasure.
The women then became assisted by the Southern Partners for Fair Trade Inc and Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade Inc and are now following the 10 fair trade principles. We asked one of the moms, Ma’am Nanet, how did fair trade help her? You know what she said? “Now there is light.”
Of course, we didn’t take her literally, and thought it was a beautiful metaphor about her situation being uplifted. But no, she actually meant it – because of fair trade she can now afford electricity in the house.
Think about that for a minute. Before Nanet started making high quality functional artwork (such as laptop bags, folders, handbags) from discarded tarpaulins, and thus supplement her husband’s income, her family couldn’t afford to power their house, a basic need that most of us take for granted.
One of the other ‘nanays’ (or mothers) who makes stylish bags, wallets and other functional crafts from woven rice sacks, was a single mother and grandmother (her daughter just gave birth). Responsible for the entire family’s welfare, her woven crafts, which are created under Fair Trade practices, enable them to survive. A few years ago her house was destroyed in a fire, and through her work, she was able to rebuild and rehabilitate.
Nanet and Nanay weaving rice sacks into functional artwork.
- So when you come to The Fair Trade Shop Philippines and see these beautiful items made from doy packs, tarpaulins and rice sacks that otherwise would have gone to landfill – you know that each sale of these items makes a big difference to the lives of these women and their families. They, in turn, make a big difference to the lives of their community. Eco-warriors and urban heroes – the Women of Quijano.
“We feel like part of the family”
For members of Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa ng Napo, a fair-trade association in the small municipality of Napo in Cebu, the best part of going to work is the feeling of being part of a big family.
The organisation, which makes ‘crazy-weave’ home décor, started as a means for housewives and mothers to supplement their husband’s income. However, it has now become more than just employment, but also caters to the needs and beliefs of the association’s members.
Each member is trained in weaving, and the association provides their workers with materials, allowing them to work in their own homes and balance work with their household and familial commitments. They also receive health and other benefits.
Some of the Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa ng Napo members, working on a crazy-weave lamp.
In order to become a member of Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa ng Napo, one must be serious about adopting social and environmental practices, and undergo three months apprenticeship, attend community meetings, do medical missions for the community and tree planting in local areas.
According to one of the workers: “It’s not what I can get out of the organisation, but what the organisation can do for the community.”
Protecting the environment is very important for the association, and they use mainly natural materials that are sustainably gathered in nearby communities (helping to support the local economy, too). They also use toxic-free water-based dyes.
The Fair Trade Shop is proud to support Gabay sa Bagong Pag-asa ng Napo, an inspiring group who play their small part in making the world a better place.
