These days there is a lot of talk about buying local. The idea is that you are helping people in your local community and there is also a good feeling in that personalized connection, that is, being aware of the circumstances of the person who produced it. In a somewhat parallel situation, goods produced by individuals in other countries and imported directly by Ten Thousand Villages on a non-profit basis, can add somewhat of a similar local feel to a purchase. The products are given a special meaning because they are directly linked to people who you are helping to support.
Each year our local area churches sponsor a Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale. This year the sale runs from Monday, December 5 to Sunday, December 11. The hours are 12:00 AM to 7:00 PM Mon. to Fri., Sat 9-7 and Sun 12-2. The sale is being held at St. Thomas Anglican Church,
1331 4th Avenue West in Owen Sound. Come on Saturday morning and also enjoy the St Thomas Church's famous annual "Cookie Walk".
Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit organization that markets a wide variety of products from over 35 countries. It is one of the world's largest and oldest fair trade organizations. Ten Thousand Villages cultivates long-term buying relationships with people in need of work to assist them in producing and marketing their products. After determining a fair price based on the needs of the person and saleability of the item in North America, people are paid 50% of the price in advance and then the other 50 % when the product is completed. This additional household income can be of tremendous importance, allowing for a better diet, being able to send children to school and so on.
There is such a wide variety of curious and interesting products that a visit just to have a look would be a worthwhile experience. There is pottery, jewelry, musical instruments, Christmas decorations, food items, craft items, puzzles, curios and on and on. Having a look at the website will give you an idea of the full range. Of course there will not be the complete range of products at the Owen Sound sale but there will still be a very good selection. Items can be ordered on line as well.
YouTube as well has a lot of short videos that showcase people who are assisted by other people buying their products.
This holiday season is a season of giving. People should consider that in buying some of their gifts at this Festival Sale they will be giving twice, giving the gift and also helping the needy person who made the item. I think it is important to remember that you are buying the story as well as the product. A piece of pottery for example can be mass produced or produced by hand by an individual in a remote village who is trying to earn a bit of extra income. Which has more value?
This is also an excellent chance to help children make gift giving a more meaningful experience. Many of the items are inexpensive. Or a child might want to start their own personal collection.
They say that, in regard to gift giving, it is the thought that counts. We should consider the amount of "thought" that is included in each Ten Thousand Villages purchase and gifting.
