If we’ve ever met in person, there’s a decent chance that you know this about me:
I really don’t like stages.
I don’t like microphones or platforms or any of that stage sort of stuff. I’d rather be down on your level, eye to eye, face to face.
Blogging can look a bit like a stage at times, and with this “platform” I’ve been given, I surely hope that my words encourage and speak truth. Today, though, I’d love to use this space to introduce to you four different organizations and companies that are doing their part to empower women around the world.
Also: there is a pretty dang cool giveaway at the end. So you should keep reading either way.
Work of Worth exists to sustainably employ entrepreneurs in dignity from poverty and the sex trade. Each purchase of their quality items helps to support men and women who desire a choice for freedom and dignity for their families.
I had the opportunity to have a Curated Collection with WoW, which means they’ve pulled together some of my favorite items and then made them into a page on their site. You can click right through the Curated Collection to purchase any of my faves.
Fair Trade Friday is a monthly membership club that is part of Mercy House Kenya. FTF delivers high quality fair traded items to your door. Like StitchFix – but fair trade!
The items in the box are fairly traded and provide employment to women all over the world. Plus, they are really cute! 100% of the proceeds from each product go toward the empowerment of impoverished women as an avenue to introduce them to the Gospel.
The Rusted Chain recently released a new line called Chains of Hope! Both the necklace and the bracelet are handmade in Nicaragua. They’re made with a shimmery pyrite which symbolizes Hope that shines even in the toughest times. Half of the sales of all necklaces and bracelets benefit impoverished women and children in Nicaragua.
Trades of Hope helps individuals in poverty all over the world start and maintain small businesses. They do this by selling their artisan’s products through home parties, online parties and catalog parties. TOH focus primarily on women because when you help one woman out of poverty, she brings four others with her!
A few years ago I became friends with Jess Argetsinger, one of the Compassion Entrepreneurs with Trades of Hope (see her shop here). She is incredibly generous, kind, and welcoming. She just returned from a trip to Guatemala to meet several of the artisans.
“Our trip began at a girls’ home in Jalapa, Guatemala. 120 girls (ages birth-22) reside in this residence and are cared for after leaving unsafe homes and often traumatic experiences. Adoption is illegal in Guatemala but these girls have found their new family here. 19 of them have begun their education beyond age 15, which is quite rare in this area, and are becoming empowered through jewelry, sewing, and business skills. Their work as artisans is continuing their education while providing a safe environment and development of their business. I proudly represent these women and their stories at my TOH events where the sales of our * and * support their home, their education, their dreams, and their future. *Both of these items include the silver fingerprint of the young women who made it.”
Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we’ve touched. -Will Fetters
“Meeting Clara and her family–creators of our , , and Hostess Coin Purse–has continued to inspire my hope and create change in this world for good through my work with Trades of Hope.”
And happiest of happies, I have the pleasure of gifting one of YOU with a beautiful , handmade by Clara (pictured to the left with Jess).
But why not throw in something else, too, right? Another winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to The Rusted Chain so you can pick out your own item or go with one of the Chains of Hope beauties.
