This was one of my favorite boxes so far!
The earrings are made out of tagua, which is also known as vegetable ivory. The tagua nut grows in tropical rainforests in Northern South America. The tagua is sliced, dyed, and then accented with acai seeds. The earrings in this box were a blue color, but they are also available in an array of other colors such as pink, yellow, red, brown, cream, and more. These tagua earrings are handmade by artisans that work with Sanyork Fair Trade. Sanyork employs 66 artisans in & around Lima, Peru. Their workshop, which is surrounded by hillside slums and factories, offers a beacon of hope to impoverished families. Sanyork is committed to fair trade wages and working conditions that allow the artisans to express their cultural traditions, while breaking the cycle of poverty.
The bracelet in this box uses achera seeds, which have been used to make jewelry since the Incas. The achera seeds are dyed and then strung on elastic to create this unique bracelet. It is also available in many colors. The artisans, Anita & José Campo have been creating jewelry for over 10 years. José designs all of the jewelry using tagua, seeds, and coconut. The process includes
acquiring the seeds & materials, cutting them into the desired shape, painting & polishing them, and drilling holes so that they can be used as beads. Working for Minga Fair Trade Imports has helped them to have enough to eat well, provide health care & medicine for Jose’s mother, and buy things for their home. Their ultimate goal is to provide the opportunity for their children to receive an education.
The adjustable ring is made from alpaca silver and has an engraved saying. There are many mottos available such as ‘Be The Change’, ‘Love Peace’, ‘Boldly Explore’, and ‘Laugh Love’. Alpaca silver is a lightweight, lustrous alloy that won’t tarnish. It is made up of copper, zinc, and nickel (sometimes iron). It does not contain any real silver, but is another name for nickel silver. It can be washed with warm water and lemon juice, or mild dish soap. Do not use silver polish.
The artisan that designs & creates these rings, Luz Escobar, met her husband Marco Camara, while studying in Huancayo, Peru. Marco had originally worked with metals, creating home accessories. Together, they began making jewelry with alpaca metal, bronze, and Peruvian stones. Luz remembers the struggle in the beginning of knocking on doors to sell her products and being rejected. Eventually, they were able to build partnerships with people that sold merchandise in other countries, including Minga Fair Trade Imports. Now, Luz and Marco employ 10 workers in their workshop and work together with 6 other artisan families that work from their home. Their business is well organized and reputable for finishing work on time. Luz is proud that they were able to build their business from nothing and can now give jobs to artisans around Lima.
Oxfam International
The poverty fighting cause of the month is Oxfam International. Oxfam is a coalition of 17 national organizations that work in 94 countries. Their motto is “The power of people against poverty.” Oxfam fights poverty by helping impoverished people fight for basic human rights, empowering women, disaster relief, providing or fighting for natural resources, securing global food supplies, and giving access to basic services such as health and education. They are saving lives, developing long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigning for social change.
The donation this month will specifically help end violence against women. Violence is a leading cause of poverty. In many countries, the ‘law’ doesn’t protect women from rape, thievery, and loss of basic human rights. Research shows that when women are empowered and given opportunities, communities improve and poverty decreases on a larger scale than just for the individual.
