Here you can find out a little bit about the people that make the items we sell.
Kuapa Kokoo
In 1993, in order to combat the threat of the farmers losing out during the liberalisation of the cocoa market, a group of cocoa farmers came together to form a co-operative that would collect and sell its own cocoa for the member farmers' own benefit. Supported by Twin and SNV, a Dutch NGO, they set up their own company to buy their cocoa and sell it on to the Government Cocoa Buying Board. The cocoa farmers' organisation was founded and named "Kuapa Kokoo" which in the local language, Twi, means "Good Cocoa Farmers Company". Their motto is "Pa Pa Paa" which means "the best of the best of the best".
The organisation is for farmers and set up by them with the mission to effect increased power and representation within the market for the farmers, social, economic and political empowerment, enhanced women's participation in all its affairs and environmentally sustainable production processes.
Kuapa Kokoo weighs, bags and transports the cocoa to market and carries out all the necessary legal paperwork for its members. Kuapa strives to ensure that all its activities are transparent, accountable and democratic.
It doesn't cheat the farmers by using inaccurate weighing scales, as some other buying agents often do, and because it operates so efficiently, it can pass on the savings to its members. After seeing the benefits Kuapa gains for its members, more and more farmers want to join and the association now has upwards of 40,000 members organised in approximately 1,300 village societies.
For more information about Kuapa Kokoo please visit the Divine website.
Threads of Yunnan
Threads of Yunnan is a project designed to raise the standard of living of women living in the countryside of Yunnan Province in China. It is designed to raise their self-esteem and help preserve their traditional handicrafts.
Farming villages in the Yunnan province range is size but there are usually less than 60 families, made of people from different ethnic nationalities. The combined family income is often less than US $50 per year.
The natural linen used in their products is made by the Miao people of Yunnan Province. The production process of a time consuming tradition passed through the generations and it involves the whole family playing a part in the process. The embroidery is done by other women in the Province.
Most of the women involved in the project have never attended school or formal education. Through selling their handicrafts they are able to earn an income which they can invest in their family's future. They also receive training in literacy, hygiene, nutrition and money management. By purchasing these items you are helping to make a family tradition into a viable business.
For more information about their work please visit the Threads of Yunnan website.
CIAP (The Inter-Regional Centre of Artisans of Peru)
CIAP seeks to improve living and working conditions of Peruvian craftsmen and it does so by marketing their products in the most advantageous way for them. CIAP is devoted to the production and export of Peruvian craft industries. They help craftsmen in many ways - through organisational support, social activities and with the production side of things.
CIAP is also involved in helping to improve the lives and working conditions of the craftsmen, their families and communities.
CIAP is an activist in the Movement of the Equitable Trade in Peru and a member of the IFAT, Group Réseau of Ecopnomias Solidaires of Peru and the Peruvian Network of Equitable Trade and Moral Consumption.
For further information about CIAP and their work please visit the CIAP website.
Tara Projects, India
TARA Projects (Trade Alternative Reform Action) were founded in 1973 to help poorly organised and struggling artisans in Delhi, find markets for their goods. By creating opportunities for these home-based craftsmen market and selling their goods, TARA projects helps to generate steady work and income. Based on the early success of this program, they have been able to expand to a 120-mile area surrounding Delhi.
TARA projects fund non-formal and vocational schools as well as literacy centres for adults and constantly campaigning and educating people about fair trade. Their goal is to end injustice and manipulation in the world mass trade system. (Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
SALAY - Salay Handmade Paper Industries Inc (SHAPII), Philippines
SHAPII are located in the Philippines and started in 1987 as a family business. They have grown to employing over 200 people, making handmade paper, cards and stationery items. The Philippines government regard this project as a mode for creating rural employment without large investment. The employment it creates has brought real stability to the small seaside town of Salay. The production areas are light, airy and spacious and benefits include free medical consultation, dental health and eyeglasses. Workers participate in decision-making and have the option of becoming shareholders.
The paper is made from grasses and leaves which are gathered from the streets and gardens nearby and production helps free the village of the weed cogon grass.
If you would like to learn more, please visit the SHAPII website.
(Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
Aspiration International, India
Aspiration are based in Delhi, India and are a fairly small Fair Trading organisation in comparison to others in India. Aspriation believe in sincere work for the welfare of artisans and families which are located all over India including Jaipur and Sarangapur by promoting and developing cottage industries, improving economic and social welfare and proving fair wages.
Aspiration organise groups of semi skilled and skilled artisans and help bring them up from poverty to being able to stand on their own. Some groups have even become self-independent artisans in their own community. (Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
ASHA Handicrafts Association, India
Asha Handicrafts have been practicing Fair Trade since 1975, even before the concepts of Fair Trade became popular abroad. Asha in Sanskrit means 'hope' and Asha have brought hope by providing a marketing outlet to the individual craftsmen. Based in Mumbai, India, Asha is an association of voluntary businessmen dedicated to helping craftsmen, financially, ecologically and spiritually though its welfare centre and interrelated programs. The team of Asha welfare workers are stationed at different producer groups and cooperatives and move closely with them and their family sharing skills, extending medical help and education. Technical training is also provided to increase efficiency and productivity to encourage the growth and development of cottage industries. (Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
Allpa, Peru
Allpa are a privately trading company, established since 1986. Allpa means 'earth' in Ayacuchan Quechua, remind them that the objects which surround them and work with them come from the earth such as stone, wood, clay and metal. Allpa currently work with 100 handicraft workshops, with a mission to make the production of handicrafts a source of sustained employment for a major sector of the Peruvian population. (Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
Earth Bags
Based in India, Earth Bags specialise in bags made from jute. Jute is a fast growing vegetable fibre that is bio-degradable and recyclable.
Earth Bags gives employment to women and self-help groups in Kolkata. They are not a recognised Fair Trade organisation, but they go out of their way to ensure that wages and working conditions are excellent. (Photo kindly supplied by Shared Earth)
