How to Save the World, Part I

In honor of...well nothing I can really think of except maybe my own personal motivation, I thought I'd give you all some of my favorite ideas for making a difference in the world. Most of these are things that I do or am trying to do in my own life. I think it's important to be aware of what's going on in our world (in case you hadn't guessed that by now) but it's not enough to just have that knowledge. We have to act on it. So, here's some suggestions from someone who is trying to blunder through it.

Up first: Fair Trade products

I'm a big proponent of fair trade products. Generally, fair trade products are produced by people who are living in extreme poverty (often women). These people can be a) employed by sweatshops or b) employed by groups or organizations that attempt to sell their handcrafts at a fair market price. Hmm. Tough choice. Not only does fair trade put money in the hands of those who need it, it also gives us a great opportunity to have access to beautiful hand crafted items from around the world without ever leaving the comfort of our desk or couch.

Here's a selection of some great resources to get Fair Trade/World Craft products. I've ordered from most of them, for both myself and as gifts and everyone has been more then delighted with their items.

The Hunger Site- Not only does this site have great fair trade items, many of them give you a profile on the organization or person that makes them. They also tell you how many cups of food they are able to donate to those in need from your purchase. While you're there, click the button to donate more food on the main page. I've ordered three things from this site and all arrived promptly and were absolutely beautiful.

thegroovymind- This site has a little of everything, and most importantly, fair trade coffee. I love coffee. I don't drink fair trade very often. I get very mad at myself for this. Make a small change in your life and make a big difference in the abusive coffee industry.

Ten Thousand Villages- This is my newest find and perhaps my favorite. It's part of the Mennonite Central Committee., which makes me somehow trust them more. They also have excellent information about fair trade, the artisans they work with, etc. They also have stores! and there just might be one in your area. And, perhaps the most fabulous of all, a gift registry. Whoa. Expect to see more of this.

A Greater Gift- This website is probably the most user-friendly and appealing and probably has the widest selection. This organization has been around a long time and does great work and they're a great choice to make sure that your dollars are being used well. They also have a handy gifts feature that helps you pick the perfect item for any occasion and person.

Worldstock- Part of overstock.com, I'm most suspect of this site. However, they do claim to be creating jobs and buying environmentally and economically sound products. I bought some great coasters made of African bottle caps from them and I had a few problems with the shipping and after a couple grumpy conversations, everything worked out just fine. They have some items you won't find anywhere else and some higher end furniture items. It's definitely worth checking out and if you see something you love, get it! A little help is better then no help at all!

Fair Trade Federation- If all else fails, this website has a list of fair trade merchants broken down by state.

World Vision Gift Catalog- This isn't exactly fair trade, but it's certainly a unique gift. Don't know what to give? Make a donation in someone's honor. World Vision lets you choose. Give a goat, fishing supplies, food, hope for sexually exploited girls, or a well. What a great way to honor someone or give a gift to the person who has everything. Instead of giving them something to dust every month, give them something that keeps on giving everytime they think about it: the knowledge that somewhere a child is thriving instead of starving because of a gift made in their name.

This is just a glimpse into the world of fair trade products. If you're looking for more info, just type fair trade into your search engine and see where it takes you. All of us buy countless gifts each year. Getting fair trade products for just a few of those gifts can make a huge difference in the lives of those who need it most. Next time you get invited to a shower, give a fair trade frame, serving piece, or candle holder. Your gift will certainly stand out in the midst of the typical wedding items. If you do decide to give fair trade, enclose a little note about fair trade items and where you got it so that they can fall in love with fair trade too. Not only will they love the gift, but you'll feel great about giving it.