Magazine for October 2011

 

Created

 

 

After the St Mark’s services on Sunday 9th and Sunday 16th October, there will be an opportunity to examine samples from the current Created (Tear Craft) range. There will be plenty of catalogues to take away and orders will be processed by Julia Dowle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Created and its aims, here is a short information bulletin.

Many of the products we buy in the UK have been produced overseas by people working for unfairly low wages, often in sub-standard conditions. Created provides jobs and a fair salary for craft-workers from some of the world’s poorest communities, helping them create and market products of the highest standard. That means every purchase you make has a lasting and positive impact. It is particularly pleasing to source Christmas presents from such a worthwhile organisation.

Created works with 19 partners in ten countries, including Bangladesh, Thailand and Peru. Some of the partners are small companies. Others are the trading arm of churches, development agencies or networks that draw together the work of many different organisations.


What they all have in common is that they are all managed by Christians who are seeking to apply their faith and their business skills to bring about lasting change in their communities. The artisans and groups that they work with may be of any faith or none, but we hope that they will see the love that Jesus first demonstrated to the world reflected in the way we do business.

Consultants give partners advice and assistance in costing, design, employment practice, production and marketing; the long-term goal is for producers to become self-sufficient businesses. They learn about good stewardship and provide training for their members.
Fair trade is all about open and honest relationships where people are valued. This has really practical implications to the way Created do business, for example, it is typical for them to give half the payment for goods in advance, allowing craftsmen and women to fund their work in progress without having to borrow money at high interest rates.

Created Values

Work that brings dignity
- they only buy products that are skilfully made, fully utilising the artisan’s skills and traditions.
A fair price for skill and effort
- they agree prices that are fair to the producers; everyone employed by the producer should be paid enough to meet their basic needs.
Good working hours and conditions
- the work environment should not damage the long-term health of employees, and producers ensure safe working practices.
Protecting the environment
- this includes following local and national environmental laws, and taking raw materials (such as wood) from sustainable sources.
Safeguarding children
- training and work should not jeopardise the education or health of children, or involve any separation from their parents or guardians.

The photographs are of Indian silversmiths making jewellery in Jaipur. They work for one of Created’s Indian partners, Asha Handicrafts. Asha means hope.

Please make sure all orders are with Julia by the end of Sunday 23rd October. You will receive your order by the middle of November. Last year there were problems with a few email orders. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your order please contact Julia by phone.

 

Julia Dowle (jedowle@xalt.co.uk 424845)