posted Jan 20, 2012 12:02 PM by Sara Little
The Welcome Mat
has many products from artisans around the world, distributed by many
fair trade companies. One company in particular does not just provide
products from artisans in localized places such as India or Kenya, but
actually empowers an entire network of artisans on a global scale. This
company is called Serrv, and while the name may be humble, their impact is mighty.
Believe it or not Serrv is over sixty years old (making it older than
the fair trade movement itself). It began with church relief workers
after World War II and has since grown into a $9.5 million fair trade
network. In addition to their primary goal of eradicating poverty and
improving quality of life for their artisans, Serrv also works to employ
women as well as supports development and education. The name
originally stood for "Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation and
Vocation," but since their outlook and purposes have expanded since
WWII, they embrace the name for what it stands for in itself; service to
one another.
Serrv supports and empowers artisans in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe,
and the Americas in at least 35 different countries, and in addition to
buying and marketing products Serrv also helps with things like product
design, and technical training to help their artisans gain economic
self-sufficiency.Each
artisan has a beautiful story, and it would take more than our little
blog could handle to tell them all! But here are just a few of the
companies making a difference in people's lives thanks to Serrv. - In Swaziland, Africa. Tintsaba
is making a difference in the lives of women and their families by
providing them with more than just an income. Tintsaba provides
training in literacy, business, and health education, as well as a
mobile homeopathic clinic treating rural groups suffering from HIV/AIDs.
- VillageWorks
of Cambodia was started by the Girls' Brigade of Singapore, a
Christian, non-profit organization working to improve the lives of women
in South East Asia. The name itself is meant to express the companies
focus on work done by small village artisans using their own indigenous
techniques and materials. They even make special use of recycled
materials for their handbags and wallets.
- Sarajevo Phoenix of
Bosnia-Herzegovina is an exceptionally inspiring group.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, formerly Yugoslavia, was ravaged by the Balkan
war in the 1990's. Sarajevo Phoenix employs Bosnian women-Serbs,
Muslims, and Croats to help them rebuild the lives they lost in the war.
What makes this so significant is not just that they are being helped
in this way, but that the company is supporting the development of a
multi-ethnic society built on healing the wounds of war. The Serbs,
Muslims, and Croats can work side by side, and live side by side.
Serrv is a company certified by the Fair Trade Federation, Green America, and the World Fair Trade Organization. They are good for the planet, and good for people, empowering, and serving artisans across the globe. |
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