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Newsletter Issue: January 26, 2009
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- Valentines Day Sale
Receive 15% off your Valentine's Day purchases. Enter the code "VDGGP001" at checkout to receive the discount. Your friends and family can receive the discount also-simply share this email with them. Place your order before February 6th if you are on the west coast or by noon on February 11th on the east coast to ensure delivery before February 14th.
- Crafting Love this Valentine’s Day
At Global Goods Partners we find daily inspiration in the women with whom we partner around the world-women in some of the world's poorest places who face incredible challenges. It is a testament to the love they have for their families that they face struggles each day, working hard and taking risks in order to feed, clothe, and send their children to school, with the hope that their children will have better opportunities in the future. As Valentine's Day approaches, we at GGP send our love to these women who not only struggle to support their families, but also invest time and show incredible courage while fighting for basic human rights in their communities. Among these unsung heroines are:
- Joan Namutosi, who works with the Foundation for the Development of Needy Communities (FDNC) in Uganda. Joan noted that "[Making crafts with FDNC] has helped me because I can buy food for my child, pay my rent, and provide for my relatives." Inspired by the change she has been able to make in her own life, Joan is now going on to help others in her community: "I plan to teach handicrafts to others because it gives knowledge to other people who can then help themselves."
- Fermina Dzib Pat of Mexico, who says that, "Going to work outside of the house has changed my life with my family. I am helping them financially, especially my younger sisters, who have the opportunity to study with the help of my salary."
- Sok Yon's of Cambodia whose husband died of AIDS three years after their marriage, leaving her an HIV positive widow. She uses the income she earns from weaving to support her bother and sister's education in addition to providing for the day-to-day needs of her household.
- Yeam Sophal also of Cambodia, who is a landmine victim and an orphan with two brothers, one sister, and three daughters. The salary she earns from weaving is used to support her siblings as well as her three daughters who will soon start school.
Indeed, we know that supporting women is an effective strategy in addressing global poverty as women are much more likely to invest their earnings in food, health care, and education for their children, thereby contributing to long-term advancements for their families, their communities, and ultimately for countries. Yet, globally, 70 percent of the 1.5 billion people living on $1 a day or less are women, the vast majority of whom receive non-livable wages or sometimes no pay at all for their labor.
- Shop for Change
This Valentine's Day, you can give a gift to a loved one, handcrafted with love, that also sends a message of love to these incredible women around the world.
Keepsake box: Swazi women craft a future of health by caring for AIDS orphans
Ikamva Labantu's Annie Doll: South African women craft a future for their children with increased opportunity through education
KWO Key Chain: Refugee women craft a future for their children free from violence and with the hope of a safe home
Demagua Clutches: Women use sustainable agriculture and natural resources to craft a future for their children that provides an alternative to coca production and other illicit activities
WEAVE Karen Dolls: Refugee women craft the opportunity for friendship and solidarity amongst the world's children
- Other ways to show your love
Send a gift card: Can't decide? The GGP E-Gift Card makes gift shopping easy, waste-free, and socially responsible. Your loved one can choose from a wide variety of fair trade, eco-conscious gifts from around the world
Make a tax-deductible donation in honor of a loved one: A Valentine's Day card that explains your gift will be sent to the recipient.
- Take Action
Join the Change.org community and take action with Global Goods Partners to demonstrate your commitment to a fair trade Valentine's Day.
Show your love to women and girls in marginalized communities by taking action with our partner, the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children urging congress to support the International Violence Against Women Act in 2009. Every day, millions of women and girls around the world risk being raped, beaten-even killed-as they complete basic tasks to care for their families like collecting firewood. The International Violence Against Women Act can help protect women and girls by making efforts to address sexual violence a key priority in U.S. foreign assistance programs. Follow the link and click on "take action" in the left column.
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