Great Fair Trade Gifts From Around The Globe!

Fair Trade Producers Visit - Kenya 2009 - By Shared Interest/Flickr

The other day I stepped in - I mean clicked on - a website called... Mr. Ellie Pooh.  I loved it! These two guys in Sri Lanka, Dr. Karl Wald and Thusitha Ranasinghe, figured out how to make paper products out of pachyderm droppings!   They formed a company and now produce photo albums, stationary, decorative boxes - even a children's storybook - all made from, yes...Dumbo's dung. Talk about recycling!

The really cool thing (as if anything could be cooler than making stuff out of elephant pies!) is that they                     are a Fair Trade company.  That means they want to make a difference - not just a profit.  Mr. Ellie Pooh LLC  is benefiting man, beast and nature with their enterprise!

Guided by the principle's of ethical commerce, fair trade retailers believe fair market practices are key if developing countries are ever to achieve economic parity with the rest of us.  It's called consumerism with a conscience.  Over sixty years ago a single group, Ten Thousand Villages, embarked on a global mission to raise the standards of living for the poorest of our poor. That vision founded  The World Fair Trade Organization, which today boasts over 450 like-minded members!  And all I have to do to help is shop!

I am amazed at the stuff I found while scrolling through the on-line catalogs of fair trade stores. Virtually every continent and culture is represented in this burgeoning marketplace and the imagination evident in the one-of-a-kind treasures is awe-inspiring!

• Cambodian artisans in the Rajanas Association, spread peace and earn a living by turning bomb casings into candle holders!  
• The Women's Multipurpose Co-op in the Philippines give their families a chance at a better life by fashioning recycled newspapers into necklaces, picture frames, even clocks! 

Lovely!  Whimsical!  Unique!  It's not just philanthropic urges pushing me to buy - this stuff rocks!  I know where I'm doing my Christmas shopping this year!

If my buying power can help end the cycle of poverty in Third World countries why wouldn't I use it?  Especially when my purchases are so extraordinary!  It takes a whole village to raise a child...I can open up my wallet to do my part!