Shopping that changes the world!
In our pursuit to find people on the margins of society, we find business people who are working in developing economies. These heroes are committed to creating thriving businesses in the most difficult environment SO THAT jobs can be created and people lift themselves out of poverty. This is the kind of work we want to get behind. Whenever we have the chance to invest in someone’s business versus give charity donations we always pick business investment! In that spirit, we thought you might want to know of some fantastic places to buy gifts any time of the year. We have personally seen how this model works and want to spread the word!
Specializing in fabric totes, headbands, backpacks, and custom orders, Aruna brings freedom through holistic employment to sexually exploited women in India.
Right in our backyard, Clean Slate’s shop in Kennett Square, PA sources from artisans around the world, each one being given fair wages and dignified employment. Products include handbags, jewelry, journals, pillows, blankets, baskets, candles, soaps, kitchen wares, children’s toys, and more.
Shop online or in store.
Meeting just about every on-the-go need, Unshattered stocks handcrafted bags, totes, purses, clutches, toiletry kits, and even diaper bags! It’s a shop carrying products made from repurposed materials by women winning the fight against addiction. Unshattered assists these women in holistic recovery all the way from residential programs to full-time employment.
Papillon specializes in jewelry (including aromatherapy jewelry!) but also carries a lively mug collection and other handmade home decor products. Believing that no child should be abandoned because of poverty, Papillon was founded to provide jobs for at-risk parents in Haiti who couldn’t provide for their children.
Made to Love primarily sells fair-trade coffee, jewelry, and leather products from local Haitian artisans. In so doing, they create funding for schools in Haiti while also creating long-term opportunity and employment, helping to end generational poverty.
Haiti Design Co. sells leatherwork, jewelry, and shoes as well as sewn, woven, metal, horn, and bone products. “When working together we can help lighten each other’s load and bring about lasting positive impact.”
2nd Story Goods creates doors of opportunity through selling jewelry, leather products, and home goods. “There’s an enemy of humanity that would have us think that as soon as we’re broken, we’re no good anymore. God tells the exact opposite story. He says, when you're broken it’s time for the new story to start,” says founder Kathy Brooke.
Trades of Hope works with and employs sex trafficking survivors, individuals raising handicapped children, those in war torn countries or struggling HIV/AIDS and/or leprosy. Trades of Hope seeks to provide opportunity for these women who’ve never had many chances in life by selling a variety of jewelry, bags, decor, and accessories from all over the world.
Haitian owned fashion company, deux mains, is currently producing its own ethical fashion collection. In so doing, they fight poverty by employing dozens of Haitian artisans. It all began out of leather sandal making set up by a non-profit responding to the 2010 earthquake. deux mains is committed to some of the world’s most marginalized communities, helping them to become self-sufficient and restoring dignity to families and individuals.
