This Box of Blessings is extra special to me, because after 5 YEARS, I finally had the chance to travel internationally again! So, I had to include items from my trip to PERU! Yep, I went to Lima, Peru with the main goal of visiting Sanyork Fair Trade and their artisans. The trip didn’t go completely as planned (does this ever happen?), but was so fun regardless.
Okay, back to February’s Box of Blessings. This month it contained 4 items: matching earrings & necklace, a treat, and a fun mini journal.
The earrings and necklace came from one of the fair trades that I visited called Manos Amigas or Friendly Hands. This was an unexpected, but exciting spur of the moment decision and adventure. Their office headquarters was within walking distance. . . but we walked right by it and went double the distance. In Lima, many building have large garage type doors instead of a typical office building or home that we are use to in the U.S., so they all look relatively the same. Plus, the address and map were a little confusing, because the streets in Lima would change names sporadically.
But, with a little help from a random guy and his cell phone, we finally found the right place and were let in. This building was just for office and warehouse stuff, so I didn’t get to meet any of the artisans, but I was able to ask lots of questions and buy fun products! Manos Amigas began in 1991. They provide business & marketing training for artisans, and have several social work projects including a feeding center for poor children.
Since I was in Peru, I thought it would only be fitting to include a Peruvian treat as well. The chocolate biscuit like cookies were a nice snack to have available and could be found at the many little hole in the wall stores and street vendor stands.
Since this month had somewhat of a travel theme, I thought including a journal would be the perfect final item. The little notebook is handmade in Rajasthan, India using recycled cotton paper & cardboard. The artisans belong to a minority group and receive training, micro-finance, education, and health assistance.
February’s featured poverty-fighting cause was “Not For Sale Campaign.” Did you know that there are MORE THAN 30 MILLION people affected by slavery. . .TODAY. . . Not for Sale provides safety & stability for those impacted by slavery. They also offer life skills & job training in order to create futures with dignified work. They currently work in the U.S., Peru, The Netherlands, Thailand, and Romania. More information can be found on their website.
What was your FAVORITE item from
February’s Box of Blessings?
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