Published: March 23, 2007 03:57 pm            

Shop helps individuals to help themselves

There is a unique shop in the heart of Williamsville that has turned shopping into a worthwhile cause.

Ten Thousand Villages, 5596 Main St., Williamsville, is part of a worldwide movement striving to practice fair trade.

The local branch of the national, not-for-profit organization began in 1983 in the Village of Akron.

“Since then, we’ve been at Benders Christian Bookstore in Clarence,” Kimberly Burg, manager, said. “Then we moved to Sheridan Drive in Amherst for about five years before opening the store here (Williamsville) in 2005. This has been our most successful location so far.”

Ten Thousand Villages has grown to become one of the world’s largest fair trade organizations with more than 100 retail outlets throughout the United States. The organization also holds over 200 community festivals annually.

Since its nation-wide inception in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has cultivated long-standing relationships with over 100 artisan groups in more than 30 countries in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Just some of the countries they work with include Kenya, Tanzania, Niger, Cameroon, Peru, Vietnam, Guatemala, India, Chile, and Uganda just to name a few.

Artisans create everything from sculptures and baskets to lamps and home furnishings. Some of the many handcrafted items carried in the store include jewelry, handbags, windchimes, scarves, pottery, candles, ceramics, picture frames, rugs, blankets, toys, musical instruments and more.

Ten Thousand Villages also carries one of the largest selections of Fair Trade coffee in the area.

“All artisans are paid a fair price for their work before it is even shipped,” Burg said.

A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been mutually agreed upon based on the cost of living and living wage of that particular country.

The fair price covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound.

It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men.

Fair Traders ensure prompt payment to their partners. Artisans receive up to 50 percent in cash advances when an order is placed and payment in full when the order is shipped.

“We work with artisans on a long-term, sustainable basis so they can plan for their future by relying on consistent orders,” Burg said.

The not-for-profit organization has a few paid staffers but primarily relies on volunteers.

“Our board of directors is made up of volunteers and we have about 50 volunteers who work at the store at various times,” Burg said. “We also work with local high schools as part of their community service projects.”

Ten Thousand Villages is located at 5596 Main St., Williamsville.

They are open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday and from noon - 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information call 839-9274 or visit them online at www.tenthousandvillages.com.

        

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