International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Every year on August 9th, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a holiday founded for the purpose of promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples across the globe. There are an estimated 370 million people belonging to indigenous groups, making up about 5% of the world’s total population. Indigenous populations are usually defined as culturally distinct peoples that have deep ancestral roots to a region. Many of the 5,000 remaining indigenous populations living in 90 different countries have been marginalized and threatened by colonizing groups, and are still fighting for their right to ancestral land, and to live freely according to their traditions. In recent decades, indigenous populations have played a crucial role in creating and guiding environmentalist movements.

This year, the holiday’s theme is, “Bridging the Gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples.” According to the U.N.’s website, the theme “highlights the importance of implementing the rights of indigenous peoples through policies and programs at both the national and international level.” On Friday, August 8th, the U.N. will host a discussion panel in NYC that will be available for live stream between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Promotion for the rights of indigenous peoples will continue next month with the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples on September 22nd and 23rd.

Global Goods Partners cares greatly about the survival and revitalization of indigenous peoples. Many of our partners, including Artesania Sorata, Alma de los Andes, AAA, Omba Arts Trust, Pampa Brava, MWEDO, Aj Quen, Uniqueland, and CREATA, work directly with indigenous women and their communities in order to improve their social and political standings in their respective countries, and in order to revive their pre-colonial cultural heritages through the creation of products that reflect aspects of their traditional beliefs, practices, and aesthetics. Buying fair trade products from these organizations gives them the financial means necessary to build their communities, and subsequently strengthen their cultural, linguistic, and ethnic presence in their homelands.

 

Graduation Gifts 2014

This month, students all across the country, whether they are in high school or law school, will be graduating. After years of education, independence, and growth, our graduates will be entering their next chapter of life with imaginative and determined eyes towards the future—so what better way to celebrate than with a gift that makes a lasting impact? Global Goods Partners has put together a list of our Top Gifts for Top Grads, so that you can find the perfect way to say “Congratulations!” to a student that’s ready to get out there and start building a better world.

     For the Explorer: Recycled Materials Passport Holder

This sturdy passport holder, made from 100% recycled materials, will not only provide your favorite adventurer with a stylish way to (hopefully!) keep track of her most important travel item, it will also provide women in Cambodia with a fair salary and an improved standard of living!

 For the Style Lover: String Bracelets 

Appeal to your beloved fashion maven’s good taste with a stylish and meaningful gift. These colorful bracelets come from Guatemala, where women artisans work hard to improve their communities. The bracelets tell a story about the artisans, and are therefore perfect for someone who values fashion as a form of self-expression.

For the Tech Buff: Striped Cotton iPad Case

For the first person you call when your computer doesn’t start up, this iPad case could not be a more excellent gift. They already have the latest and greatest electronics—now all they are missing are some chic accessories! This case was woven with expertise by Mayan women, who are able to get an education and feed their families through the sales of products such as this one.

Th(E) Bracelet: Educate. Empower.

Th(E) Bracelet

What’s the story behind these beautiful bracelets? >> Th(E) bracelet is an initiative that aims to improve and provide educational opportunities for women in rural areas of Guatemala. The project came to be through a partnership between Global Goods Partners and Paola Pullin, a senior at Barnard College. A Guatemalan native, Paola had always been appalled by the significant levels of poverty and lack of education in her country, mainly among girls in the rural areas. Thus, she set about looking for contributors that would help her turn these girls’ dream of pursuing a proper education into a reality.

How it works >> All bracelets are produced by young artisanal craftswomen employed by GGP Partner, Kiej de los Bosques, in rural Guatemala. Every 16 bracelets sold will provide one year of education for a young girl in this region. The profits generated by the sale of Th(E) bracelet on the GGP website and elsewhere, are channeled back to the girls who made them as an educational scholarship that covers half of their annual tuition. The other half, the girls pay themselves with the income they receive from producing the bracelets.

Girls Education and Impact of Project >> Th(E) bracelet’s main goal is to contribute to the common good by educating and simultaneously empowering women. The project seeks to create opportunities for these women so that next generations of Guatemalan women thrive and become active members of their society. With your help, Th(E) bracelet hopes to fund as many scholarships as possible to further the role of women in Guatemala and in the world.

Targeting education is so important to this project because it helps resolve other issues that stem from high levels of illiteracy and in turn, perpetuate the cycle of poverty and disease. When women are educated, their labor opportunities increase, as well as their quality of life. Th(E) bracelet not only provides them with an education, but also with the opportunity of having a stable source of income, which comes from the craftwork and labor production of the bracelet.

With a source of income, women’s purchasing power increases and parallel to it, their economic independence. Economic independence gives women autonomy within their households and helps alleviate the problem of male supremacy, which is predominant in the rural areas of Guatemala. Most importantly, women are found to reinvest back to their families more than men do. By empowering a woman and increasing her purchasing power, she is better able to provide for her children and seek the best opportunities for them. Thus, the benefits of helping one woman trickle down to her children and to the community they form a part of. Initiatives like these are key to producing sustainable change, not only in Guatemala, but in other developing countries as well.

SHOP TH(E) BRACELET >>> 

Back to School Fair Trade Supplies

Get ready to go back to school with Global Goods Partners.  We have beautiful handmade journals, bags, bracelets, and school supplies accessories to help make the new school year a little more bearable.

Green America Green Giveaway Campaign

Starting August 1st you can join Green America and receive a free gift from Global Goods Partners – a Bracelet for Change! These bracelets help families in rural Guatemala by contributing to the purchase of organic gardens, water filters, solar energy kits, and smokeless stoves.

Green America is an organization that utilizes economic strategies to solve social and environmental problems. By joining their network you receive resources and subscriptions to help you with green living, investing, and purchasing. You will also receive free admission to any of Green America’s five Green Festivals.

[Intern Picks] Yoo Mi picks a tote bag, bracelets, and a scarf!

Hello!

I cannot believe the end of summer is upon us; it seems like just yesterday that I began my internship at Global Goods Partners! It has been an amazing summer working in the GGP office and learning so much about this not-for-profit organization and the entire industry. Amidst everything that I have learned this summer, I’ve also had a lot of fun—especially when new products come in! All the interns have the wonderful chance to take a sneak peak at new items from around the world and offer our feedback to our supervisors. Now, we have this wonderful chance to share our favorites with you!

I adore tote bags. They’re cute and practical to carry everything you need to class, to a conference, on a small trip, or just everyday needs. This Summer Jute Tote from India is so sturdy—with a great design—that I can’t wait to use it! I can definitely carry my laptop in the bag, along with all my other essentials, and not be worried about the bag breaking. It’s bright colors make the bag stand out amongst all others, which is always a plus.

I used to be all about accessories—watches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, etc.—but just recently stopped wearing everything to go for a more natural/simplified look. However, when these Guatemalan Bracelets came into the office, my love for jewelry was renewed. I eventually bought the set of five (5!) bracelets (two silver, three multi-color beads) and have worn them all summer (I literally have not removed them from my wrist since I purchased them). Some days I can stack on all five for a fun and colorful feel, or I can just wear the two silver ones to tone it down a bit. Either way, I have gotten so many compliments on these bracelets!

Lastly, when Joan—a co-founder of GGP—came to the office mid-July, she was wearing this great khaki dress with this Tie-Dye Scarf from Cambodia. It looked amazing! This scarf is so light that it can be wrapped multiple times around your neck without becoming bulky—a perfect neck accessory. It takes a very special and specific type of scarf to accomplish this look, but it can be done (for anyone) with this scarf. Or, I have found that you can wear the scarf a little more loosely and let it become a thicker, bold-statement type of necklace. It’s great for creating a neckline with a crew-neck shirt, dress, and more. This is another piece that I have incorporated into so many outfits; it’s a great pop of color without the weight of big necklaces.

Every time I use/wear these items, I’m reminded of Global Goods Partners’ great work around the world. I think of the women artisans working so diligently to produce beautiful items to create a better life for themselves and their family. Check out the website to choose your favorite products, especially for an upcoming birthday or the holidays that will be upon in just a few short months!

Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook to stay updated with the work of GGP.

[Intern Picks] Hamsini shares a few of her favorite things!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Summer’s winding to a close, and sadly, my amazing internship with Global Goods Partners is wrapping up. I’ve really enjoyed my time at GGP, and learned so much about their mission as well as about the operations of non-profits in general. I’ve been exposed to fascinating new experiences, from attending the Cecilia Attias Dialogue for Action to spending a day at the GGP warehouse. I’ve loved working on my own project—updating the website so our followers can get a better understanding of our partner organizations and their communities. And of course, I can’t get enough of GGP products! Before I go, I thought I’d share a few that I absolutely love.

I’m crazy about these Silk Bead Necklaces from Cambodia. I have the deep blue, but wish I could get my hands on all of the other stunning colors they come in. There’s just something so luxurious about draping yourself in a silk necklace; I took one look and fell in love. They’re a great pop of color to any outfit (casual or dressy)!

Now, I’m very picky about bags; I have a tendency to find one classic piece that fits my style and wear it to pieces. Going through GGP’s bag selection, I’m spoiled for choice!

The Cotton Handbags from Guatemala would have to top my list for their elegant coloring and charming scarf detail.

I’ll leave you with one final piece which epitomizes what GGP is all about for me: the Eco-Friendly Cotton Grocery Bag.

These lightweight bags are perfect as reusable grocery totes and fold up into compact zippered pouches. They’re made by Friends International, a Cambodian organization that works with the parents of high-risk urban youth to create fun and socially responsible products (these bags are made from recycled cotton sarongs and newspaper comics). That’s promoting eco-friendly practices at home and abroad: fashionable and responsible! I know what I’ll be carrying my groceries in from now on.

Here’s to a great summer! Please visit the Global Goods Partners website to pick your favorites! My experience with GGP has been absolutely phenomenal and I hope you, too, can learn more about our partnerships around the world and the impact of your purchase.