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Ten Thousand Villages News

Pakistani Artisans:
One Year after the Earthquake
Muhammad Yousuf of Dominion Traders displays an onyx elephant bookend. October 5, 2006 - Income earned through fair trade has supported Ten Thousand Villages artisan partners in Pakistan in leading recovery efforts following a devastating earthquake one year ago. Dominion Traders and JAKCISS have provided immediate relief and long-term assistance to artisans and rural communities affected by the 7.6 magnitude quake that occurred on October 8, 2005.

Ten Thousand Villages has purchased shesham wood and onyx carvings from Dominion Traders, a family workshop in Pakistan, since 1983 and has purchased Oriental rugs from JAKCISS, a Pakistani fair trade organization, since 1991.

Syed Fahad Ali, managing director of Dominion Traders, reported to Ten Thousand Villages, "We at Dominion Traders are well, but emotionally very upset as we cope with the biggest disaster Pakistan has ever seen." Dominion Traders mobilized quickly after the natural disaster to distribute food, water, clothes, tents and medicine to people living in remote rural areas who were unable to access government assistance. Dominion Traders works throughout Pakistan with artisans of diverse linguistic and religious backgrounds.

JAKCISS also provided immediate support to affected communities and is continuing to help residents build safer houses to protect them from future natural disasters. Asad Khan, whose family received building materials from JAKCISS, said, "I can't forget the earthquake, and what we lost. At the same time, moving from having a tent to having a shack to living in a house—that will bring more stability in my life."

 

Earthquake Update from Yogyakarta, Indonesia:
One House Inspires Entire Community
Community celebrates Ten Thousand Villages donation in front of new house. September 11, 2006 - A May earthquake caused widespread devastation and thousands of deaths on the Indonesian island of Java. Four artisan groups whom
Ten Thousand Villages works with were profoundly affected. Many families lost their homes and their ability to earn a livelihood.

With emergency funds from Ten Thousand Villages and TradeAid New Zealand, Pekerti, a local development and trade organization, supported the communal construction of a house for ceramic artisans Pak Sadiman and Ibu Sujiyem. Though it is a temporary structure, this home has inspired long-term hope for the entire community.

Pekerti reports that this project has also helped them unify with other organizations to apply for a large grant from a German non-governmental organization. These funds would help them assist hundreds of families in securing shelter.

According to Pekerti, "Pak Sadiman and Ibu Sujiyem have now returned to work and have gained some [normalcy in] their lives. They are now looking forward to assisting other families in their village."

 

Silk and Stories Enthrall Customers
Volunteer tries her hand at silk spinning in Columbus, Ohio. September 19, 2006 - Customers, staff, board members and volunteers got up close and personal with silk during Kommaly Chanthavong's recent visit to Columbus, Ohio. Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Chris Solt, reports that "Not only did participants learn about silk production and sericulture, some even got to spin silk for themselves."

At Ten Thousand Villages in Lincoln, Neb., Kommaly presented to a crowd of 40 people, including a textiles class from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kommaly makes a habit of inviting her audience to take a hands-on approach to learning. Some onlookers were so enthusiastic that they decided to partake in the traditional practice of eating the silkworm from the
boiled cocoon. The snack was described as "slightly sweet"!

 

News Archives
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Upcoming Fair Trade Events

Green Festivals
Green Festivals bring together local and national socially responsible businesses as well as environmental, social justice, and community organizations. 20 to 25,000 concerned individuals will gather for two day events to forge a just, sustainable, and inclusive economy - a green economy. Join Ten Thousand Villages for upcoming Green Festivals in the following cities:

  • Washington, DC - October 14-15, 2006
  • San Francisco, CA - November 10-12, 2006
  • Chicago, IL - April 21-22, 2007

National Folk Festival
Attend the 68th National Folk Festival at the downtown riverfront in Richmond, Va. from October 13-15, 2006. Enjoy an all star lineup of performers, crafts people and interactive exhibits that will allow you to enjoy music, dance and culture from across America. Shop the Ten Thousand Villages marketplace to purchase fairly traded handicrafts from around the world.

Ten Thousand Villages Press Releases

September 5, 2006
Ten Thousand Villages establishes pioneering trade relationship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Contact Lisa Stratton, marketing manager, for more information.
Email: lisa.stratton@tenthousandvillages.com
(717) 859-8116