WorldFinds is a longstanding member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF), with a mission to create positive change in the world through the practice of 360° fair trade.
Our FTF Membership means we are committed to fair trade principles in everything we do. We utilize a 360° approach that is about building true partnerships with our artisans and working to create positive change through all of our work. We are committed to being fair and responsible in everything we do – socially, economically, and environmentally.
We work directly with all of our artisan groups – which include a combination of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) members, small families of artisans, and women’s cooperatives. They are all talented, low-income artisans who are paid a livable wage and have safe working conditions, access to healthcare and childcare, and on-going training and education. Our holistic approach means we have been working with many of these groups for over a decade – during that time we have seen many artisans lift themselves out of poverty and even launch their own successful businesses, strengthening the entire community.
World Finds established a Girls Education Fund to provide additional resources to the most marginalized families in our artisan communities in India. Support includes tuition fees, school uniforms, transportation, books, and so much more.
Why is the fund needed?
Despite recent progress in some areas of education, 41% of children in India still drop out of school before 8th grade. And for girls it’s even worse: 64% of adolescent girls are often forced to leave school early to care for younger siblings, help run the household, or for arranged marriages. It is not surprising that half of all girls 15 and older are illiterate. The bright spot is that things are beginning to improve! Last year alone, an increase in orders allowed our artisan groups to send three times as many girls to school. Thank you for making a difference on multiple levels!
Kamlesh (India):
Kamlesh worked as a receptionist before she was married at the young age of 17. She had not wanted to marry that young, but her parents insisted. Within a year, her daughter Anjali was born.
Kamlesh is a progressive women who resisted being housebound. Her husband was a driver, but his incomewasn’t enough to provide for their small family. Kamlesh tried to seek another source of income but struggled to and employment that also allowed her to care for her daughter. Soon her son Mohit was born and the family found themselves in an even tighter financial situation.
Happily, Kamlesh connected with a fair trade artisan group and learned how to make jewelry and accessories. She also found encouragement from the women in the group, which was invaluable as her husband was struggling with alcoholism and she faced even more responsibility at home.
Soon she was earning enough to support herself and her children. Kamlesh eventually became a full time employee at the group’s office, and with the help of WorldFinds’ Girls Education Fund, Anjali’s school costs are being taken care of. Her husband is currently doing better and they have reconciled, but Kamlesh feels secure knowing that she can provide for her children no matter what the future holds.
