Many workers around the world are treated and paid very poorly. Approximately, 40% of the world’s population exists on $2 dollars a day. You might often wonder how some products you buy can be so cheap – underpaid workers toiling in sweatshops contributes to our “bargains,” as do the environmentally destructive processes used to create some of the products we consume. That bargain may come at a very high price to our fellow man and the environment.

The principle of fair trade enables people around the world to receive a livable income that covers their basic needs, which include food, shelter, education, and health care for their families.  This in itself is amazing, but fair trade even does so much more!  Most fair trade organizations strive to make a positive impact in their whole community! Fair trade is about improving living conditions on a broader scale.  Your purchase goes toward the big picture of the crisis of poverty.

Trades of Hope is a Fair Trade Federation Member. To find out more about what that means, check out their website here.

Our artisans make approximately 3-6 times more than they would normally make in the context of their country. Trades of Hope is not a charity or a not for profit. We believe sustainable business is a long-term solution for change over charity. We pay our artisans 100% of the asking price of their products, and it is not until after we have paid the artisans and it is in our country that we add on the shipping costs and the percentage for the compassionate entrepreneur. This ensures that the artisans are receiving the price they decide on, which is a fair and living wage for their products. 

Over all, women in developing countries do not want charity. They want an opportunity. They want to feel the same pride we feel when they are able to take care of their families. And without an American women selling these products and raising awareness, our artisans would not have a sustainable income. The exact percentage of money each artisan makes is different country to country, because the living wage in each country is different. This also varies by each product the artisan makes. For instance, a basket takes longer to make than a pair of earrings. So the artisan will make more on the basket than they do on a pair of earrings. Some products take hours to make, while others take a shorter time to make.  While varying percentages are hard to give, the commitment to that fair and living wage behind each product stays the same.

 Trades of Hope partners with fair trade groups and ministries who are on the ground to guarantee accountability and has an entire Artisan Development department committed to ensuring that fair trade principles are maintained, checking in with our artisans weekly, and making sure each decision the company makes is a win for the artisan.