The Silk Road Fair Trade Market is a gift shop of fair trade items from around the world. Choose from a large selection of global jewelry, purses, nativities and nativity sets, chocolate, home decor, elephant and giraffe figurines, wallhangings, coffee, tea, serving spoons, mugs, dishes and other kitchen items, scarves, skirts and tops, baskets, placemats, tablecloths, games, toys, measuring tapes, and recycled silk yarn. Alll of our items are fairly traded, or ethically traded. This means with every purchase, you can decrease poverty, improve education, fight modern day slavery, and protect the environment.
DWhat is fair trade? silk road fair trade market new wilmington pa
Fair trade means that the artisans are guaranteed fair wages for their work, safe working conditions, and paid overtime. Whenever possible, artisans are paid not just a fair wage, but a living wage. A living wage is the income needed to break the cycle of poverty, and will support a family with food, shelter, safe drinking water, and education.
We support programs that focus on environmental sustainability and protection. Some of our products are made from materials such as reclaimed wood, cinnamon bark, recycled silk, telephone wire, or tin. In others, villagers are taught alternate options for income, preventing further destruction of the rainforest and the species that live within.
Our women’s empowerment projects in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East give independence to women who would not otherwise be able to support their families. Many of these programs are funded with microloans. The artisans learn to manage money without the difficulties that result from traditional moneylenders. This results in more income on each handmade item.
Peacemaking and community rebuilding are important elements in the fair trade movement as well. We are helping the people of Rwanda as they try to rebuild their country after genocide. In Pakistan, the artisans are working together in spite of religious and ethnic differences to produce and deliver their product. The Tibetan monks living in exile have hope to return to their homeland in the future.
As families around the world struggle to survive, often the children must work as well. Our children's programs give an alternative to coal mines, war torn villages, or living without dignity on the streets. While these children learn a craft that will support them, they also spend part of the day in school, essential for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Even within the U.S. people are struggling to survive. We currently support two cooperatives that offer programs for the homeless. After completion of the program, the participants have job training, are fully employable, and become contributing members of their communities…no longer living on the streets.
I truly hope everyone enjoys their visit to my shop.
I want it to be a place to talk, to learn, to share
ideas, and to enjoy the amazing artistic ability from
cooperatives around the world.
