Many companies wax lyrical about being in the “people business.”
Few, however, can actually back that up without noticing their bank balance swelling into the millions, if not billions of dollars.
At the Fair Trade Fair at the Gilmore Park United Church on Saturday, you will see around 15 non-profit vendors, all of which expressly put people before profit in a bid to raise the standard of living in Third World countries.
One such vendor will be Ten Thousand Villages, which will have on sale Christmas-themed crafts from places such as Bangladesh.
“We will have hand-made paper products from Bangladesh, as well as garlands and cards,” said Roxanne Cave, manager of Ten Thousand Villages on Granville Island, a fair trade store, which buys directly from small, artisan groups around the world.
“We try to preserve their culture as much as possible, but we recognize it needs to be marketable in North America and it’s very important to us that the environment is protected at the same time.”
Cave said Ten Thousand Villages is akin to a “mini-department store, with home décor, personal accessories and gift items.”
“We’re also the go-to store for Christmas ornaments; we have a fabulous collection this year. There will also be coffee, tea and chocolate.”
Rev. Tim Le Drew, a member of the Richmond Kairos Committee (an interchurch social justice group), sponsors the annual fair.
“We’re hoping to have around 15 vendors with textiles and crafts, all made by people in Third World countries,” he said.
“All of the goods that are for sale are crafted by people who live in various parts of the world and are assured of a fair price for what they have made.”
This year’s fair will be on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Gilmore Park United Church, running from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
