This Fair Earth is a strong supporter of fair trade. We have sourced a wide variety of products from the most creative artists and manufacturers around the world. We try to support small producers who receive fair compensation for their work and are not exploited by large multinationals. We are also profoundly opposed to child labour. Our products are also created with good awareness of the environmental impact of their manufacture. Although the official fair trade mark is not always appropriate and so we don't claim that all of our products are officially fair trade in the way your bananas are, we will not deviate from the fundamental principle of fair pay and conditions for all of our suppliers.
In South Africa, Cape Originals, the company who make our ostrich shell bangles are bringing vital employment and skills to a very deprived area of the country. The company draws all its staff from the local community, training and developing their skills over an extended period and instilling in them a pride in their work and sense of belonging, in a community that has been otherwise ravaged by poverty and unemployment.
Our Fair Trade Suppliers
Nkuku - Nkuku products are elegant, fair trade and eco-friendly. The beautiful designs draw on the traditional artisan skills of people in Africa and India. They work closely with the craftspeople and their communities who are fairly paid for their work. Nkuku products are made using natural materials and sustainable methods of production to ensure you receive a truly inspirational item. All the paper is acid-free recycled cotton, the wood is from sustainable forests and other materials are by-products.
Cape Originals - These products are made in the Karoo region of South Africa from ostrich shells, which are by-products of the ostrich breeding industry common to this region. The striking and unique bangles and gifts are made by people from the local community, bringing much-needed stability and income to one of South Africa's most disadvantaged areas. The skilled local craftspeople carefully set the mosaics by hand to produce uniquely beautiful items and bring some economic stability to a impoverished area.
Paper High - Paper High was established in 2001 and is a fair trade BAFTS registered producer which works closely with local artisans in Nepal and India to create recycled, eco-friendly and unusual paper products. The leather photo albums are made from Indian Khadda paper - produced from recycled textile cotton. The Nepalise paper in the Lokta products is made from the bark of the Lokta shrub, which is a fast-growing and plentiful plant from the foothills of the Himalayas. In addition, Paper High works with the Maximus Conservation Trust, an elephant charity in Sri Lanka which produces the elephant dung paper. Paper High also provides the beautiful, natural paddy husk paper - recycled from rice husk waste products. A fantastically environmentally-friendly supplier.
Silver Chilli - Silver Chilli jewellery is fresh, desirable and fair trade. Handmade in Mexico by craftspeople who are fairly paid (50% in advance) for their work, these products demonstrate that fair trade can mean the highest quality products without compromising those responsible for making the items. In addition, Silver Chilli supports community projects in Mexico and beyond and ensures that by planting trees, every flight (not just a proportion of the flight) bringing the jewellery to the UK is offset.
Yakanaka - The story behind Yakanaka is as inspirational as the jewellery itself. The stunning and original items are handmade in Zimbabwe in a safe, clean, fair and dignified environment. Yakanaka is working with local communities in Zimbabwe to help improve education, health and job opportunities. The materials are all sustainably sourced from around the world and skillfully crafted into beautiful and individual pieces. Yakanaka is making a real difference in one of the world’s most troubled areas.
Kazuri - Kazuri fair trade beaded jewellery is handmade in Kenya. The business was set up in 1975 to provide vital work to single mothers in an area just outside Nairobi, close to the Rift Valley. Kazuri now employs over 300 women, offering them a genuine chance to improve their lives. Each piece is handmade - painted or strung by a different person - and so these exquisite items really do convey the personal soul of African hope.
Umtha - Umtha was established in Cape Town in 1991 and from humble beginnings now employs 40 people and makes a real difference to deprived people from disadvantaged post-apartheid South Africa.Umtha’s vision is to release the potential in the hearts and minds of South Africans, helping them to overcome poverty and deprivation. It comes to fruition in people like Tabisa, who since joining the Umtha team six years ago has excelled in learning beadwork skills. She is now both a necklace maker and the office receptionist. The work provides her with regular income - and also the support she has needed to cope with the death of her baby from pneumonia and the health consequences of having TB herself. ‘If Umtha wasn’t there, I don’t know what I would do,’ says Tabisa.
Manumit - Manumit was established in 2005 to help disadvantaged communities in Asia. All Manumit products are sourced and handmade by marginalised producers and artisans in the South, who are members of either IFAT or the Fair Trade Federation and have been through a process to ensure they are working to fair trade principles. Manumit works hard with these local artisans and producers to ensure that our fabulous fair trade jewellery and accessories range holds true to their heritage and traditions, not only to the benefit of their local communities, but also to offer the best in sustainable and ethical fashion.
Asha Handicrafts - Asha Handicrafts is one of the longest established fair trade organisations, set up in 1975 to support independent craftspeople in India. Asha gives marketing support and technical assistance to groups of small producers and craftsmen and women. By purchasing directly from the workers and giving generous advances, they increase income levels and help groups become self-sufficient. This removes the workers from the oppression of money-lenders who force them to work unreasonable hours for unpredictable pay. Asha has been making a real difference to people's lives for over 30 years.
Yonjai Spa - Yonjai Spa products are fairly traded and carefully crafted by hand by the Suan Plu women’s cooperative in Bangkok, providing work and income to one of Thailand’s most deprived areas and genuinely changing people’s lives. These unusual and exotic products reflect the best of what Thailand and fair trade has to offer. The cooperative employs 17 women, often the primary earners, who are given flexibility to look after their children and the chance to save money for a better future.
Noah's Ark - Noah's Ark was established by local craftsperson Samuel Masih, who took great personal financial risk to break himself and his friends free from exploitation by business owners in Moradabad, northern India. Set-up in 1986, Noah's Ark now directly employs 40 people and buys goods from more than 250 other craftspeople. In addition to its work with craftspeople, Noah's Ark provides education classes for 50 local children who do not have the opportunity to go to school. Each worker is given provision for school expenses, loans for house repairs and healthcare insurance. A social worker is also employed to support the wider needs of the employees and their families and communities.
CT Philip - Based in Madras, C T Philip began in 1971 as a father and son partnership marketing Indian handicrafts. India is a major country for the production of craft goods, but the business climate often means that the craft workers receive very little for their work, and become dependent on money-lenders. Through CT Philip, producer groups, otherwise too small to consider exporting, are given access to overseas markets. Workers are paid a fair price and get support with the complications of shipping and additional paperwork.
Aspiration International - Aspiration are based in Delhi, India and are a fairly small Fair Trading organisation in comparison to others in India. Aspriation believe in sincere work for the welfare of artisans and families which are located all over India including Jaipur and Sarangapur by promoting and developing cottage industries, improving economic and social welfare and proving fair wages. Aspiration organise groups of semi skilled and skilled artisans and help bring them up from poverty to being able to stand on their own. Some groups have even become self-independent artisans in their own community.
Mitra Bali - Mitra Bali products are handmade in Indonesian villages, which prevents the flood of people inot the cities by providing stable local employment. The prompt payment the artisans receive allow them to send their children to school. They are also eligible for interest-free loans to help them support themselves, where required.
The India Shop - The India Shop is a family firm importing from India and is a member of BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) and is a recognised BAFTS supplier. The India Shop is also a member of WFTO World Fair Trade Organisation. Its products are handmade and they aim through fair trade to provide much needed employment particularly in rural areas and also to keep alive traditional craft skills. They work with family firms and co-operatives and by working together to introduce new products hope for long term working relationships and continuous employment for the craftsmen. All workers involved in making and packing the products are treated with respect in reasonable working conditions and are paid fair wages. No child is exploited. The India Shop also reuses and uses green electricity.