Ipswich Fair Trade Expose

To cater for everyone with the opportunity to view and  purchase exquisite ethically made Christmas gifts, the Expose  will be held over three days.  …

Friday 23rd November, 2012     3pm-8pm
Saturday 24th November, 2012   9am -4pm
Sunday  25th November, 2012   9am-3pm.
Exquisite Collections of handmade fair trade gifts from Africa, Bangladesh, India,  South America, Thailand and Nepal will be on display for purchase. The collection encompasses  children’s toys, heirloom Christmas decorations and nativities, home decor to impress, gift wrapping and stationery, jewellery and fashion accessories plus lots of other ethically made delights. Tea coffee and other fair trade commodities will also be available for purchase.
Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Lucky door prizes and raffles
The venue is the newly revamped Studio 188 ( Heritage Listed Old Baptist Church) 188 Brisbane Street, Ipswich
Enquiries and Further information please phone Bec on 0438677828 or 07 32760684
email sihamcraft@optusnet.com.au

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When I was at IGA Greenslopes look what I saw

Unique gifts

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What a better way to start 2011 !!!

Siham Craftlink is excited and rather overwhelmed !!!!
Two days before Christmas we received two large sea shipments ( including a container load) with lots of new fair trade gifts to delight our customers !!
Keep checking in on Whats New. What a better way to start 2011 !!!

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Product of the week

Silk embroidered handbag

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Abby Valdes visits Siham Craftlink

Scarf Brown Ochre Swirls

Scarf Brown Ochre Swirls

Abby Valdes, Australian plus sized supermodel recently took time out of her very busy schedule to visit Siham Craftlink and try on some of our beautiful fashion accessories.

Beaded and embroidered handbag

Abby is now based in New York and travels the world doing modelling assignments in many different countries. Abby was in Australia for some work and a little R & R but very strongly believes in the principles of Fair Trade.

Pink /green shawl

Crochet beaded cap

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Kalijong Village YWCA Bangladesh

Kalijong Village, YWCA Bangladesh

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided “Courtesy of Siham Craftlink http://www.sihamcraftlink.com//”

Photos http://www.sihamcraftlink.com/album/kalijong/index.htm photos are in an album format and the small photos when clicked open to larger photos.

Kalijong Village, YWCA Bangladesh

 

The YWCA Bangladesh is very dear to my heart. Many of the staff are my personal friends, and I admire greatly the work that the YWCA does in Bangladesh. They have a very holistic caring programme, reaching out in many ways to the poor and oppressed. The making of craft is one of the ways that the disadvantaged women are able to earn a much needed income. I have been privileged to work with the YWCA Bangladesh for over 15 years.

During my visit in February, there was great excitement because prior to my visit, I had submitted a sizeable order . As I am attending the Melbourne Trade Fair this year, I needed to think way in advance as to what I will be showcasing. It was so exciting as we visited the different YWCA centres ( in Dhaka, Savar Village and Kalijong Village) seeing the ladies making those ever popular hand puppets and yes ( hopefully) many will be filling orders for customers from the trade fair.

The Craft Centre started in 1973 with sixteen women. 2184 ladies have been trained since then. Presently there are 450 ladies making their craft for the YWCA and yes, they rely very heavily on the Australian market.

Today I am going to share about the ladies in Kalijong Village , which is about 30 kms out of the heart of Dhaka., the capital of Bangladesh. This craft centre was set up in this village because previously the women were travelling daily by bus and rickshaw into the YWCA Dhaka Craft Centre to do their craft work. Dhaka roads are not like Australian roads- they are absolute mayhem , with no apparent road rules . Cars and rusty old buses weave in and around rickshaws . I don’t know how many times we experienced near accidents and how many times we sighed with relief ! Bengali people seem to take it in their stride, but for us it was a completely different story.

At Kalijong Village, we had the joy of walking around visiting the little homes and seeing the ladies working. Many were sitting on grass mats outside their tin and thatched homes. With needle and thread they were working their magic, handstitching very carefully the crocodile and zebra hand puppets. Some of the ladies were working in pairs,( no doubt a good time to chat too), often with their small children beside them. Some were working individually.

The day we visited, routine life continued in Kalijong Village. Some ladies were cooking their midday meals . Dried cow dung is used as fuel in the small underground clay ovens. Chickens were running around. The village cow looked very contented. Children , always inquisitive of the Australian Aussies, were laughing and skipping as we walked around the village.

At Kalijong Village , the YWCA have built a small work centre which comprises two rooms. It is made of cement with open areas in the walls to suffice as windows. In one of these rooms are the treadle sewing machines . After the completion of the hand embroidery and hand appliqué many of these items are completed on these machines. The other small room is where the ladies can sit together to do their sewing if they so wish. The day we were there this didn’t happen because we were taking up their space! Also this day two nurses visited and were using one of the rooms. Anyone can visit the nurses. This service is paid for by the YWCA. Blood pressures were being taken, advice was being given and tablets were dispensed! The nurses visit monthly.

The ladies are paid monthly by the YWCA. Payment is for each piece, depending on the capability/ skill of the artisan. As an incentive the best producers are given a cash bonus. Each craft item has the producers name hand stitched on paper to the item. When orders are completed, they are then bundled up in bags and taken to the main Craft Centre in Dhaka for quality checking. The name is removed if quality is satisfactory. If not, the article is returned to the producer.

 

The objectives of the Craft Centre is to provide skill training and an income to the needy women , many of whom are illiterate or destitute and hence have no other means to support themselves and their families. I feel very privileged having worked so closely with the staff , the designers and the artisans of the YWCA for so many years.

Pam McGann

Director Siham Craftlink Pty Ltd.

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Artisans Effort dream project.

I was privileged to be guest  speaker at a fair trade fortnight event in Cairns on Saturday, 8th May. The money raised at this event will be donated to the school that Artisans Effort is building. I now share Ejaz and Shaista’s dream with you. from Pam McGann, director, Siham Craftlink Pty Ltd

Ejaz and Shaista on left with one of their sons, Pam McGann front row in blue.

The Dream to Build a School is becoming a Reality.

 When I first met Ejaz and Shaista , the founders of Artisans Effort in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, two years ago they shared a dream. Quietly they explained that they wanted to build a school for needy children. I listened intently. The “dream” seemed enormous . Financially how could this goal be reached? However I have learnt that when you have the sincerity and the heart such as Ejaz and Shaista to achieve something for the good of mankind, nothing is going to stop that dream become a reality.

Land acquired for school

Last year the first part of this dream was realized.

Suitable land had been found at Asansol which is 200 kms away from Kolkata ( Shaistas family live in this area).

There was an urgency after realizing the potential of this land. Banks in India do not give loans for purchase of land, only for construction of buildings. An urgent request was sent out to the handful of buyers that Artisans Effort supplies with their beautiful handcrafted fair trade items. Was it possible to give substantial orders for craft to the artisans ? We all rallied for the cause and the percentage of profit from the sale of the craft, along with savings from artisans Effort was enough to secure the purchase of the land!!!

The land area at 8 cottahs (5,760 sq feet ) is quite small but the first part of the dream was secured.

 At present Artisans Effort is sponsoring the education of two children, but since 2005, they have paid the educational expenses for nine needy children.

Ejaz and Shaista shared that when they first looked for potential students to sponsor both in Kolkata and Asansol, that they were overwhelmed with responses. Parents were pleading with folded hands. Although able to assist with some childrens education , they felt helpless . They also observed many children working in small tea stands, small hotels , washing dishes and in carriages as their parents had a very small income and the children had no other alternative but to earn some money. As Ejaz says they live “hand to mouth”.

In India everyone has to pay for their education. There are three levels of education . Even in the low education English category ( the children are sponsored in this category) the cost of admission is US$55 and then approximately US$22 a month per child. The approximate income per month for wage earners is US$100. Hence it is easily understandable why education for children is out of the reach for many families. Education is an extremely valued and precious blessing.

The school will be a Montessori school. The levels of education available at commencement will be lower nursery, upper nursery, nursery, kindergarten and grades 1,2 and 3.

For the school to run smoothly, it is planned that initially 5-10% of the children enrolled will be given free education. The free education percentage will be changing each year as per the school fund. It is also planned that other grades will be added. When the school does open, there will be many running costs such as teachers salaries, electricity, maintenance and curricular activities hence the need to also include students who will be paying.

 As the bank interest is quite high, Artisans Effort will be trying to take the minimum loan possible. The bank rules in India stipulate that the deposit of a loan needs a minimum deposit of 20%.

 Some people living near the school land have heard the news that a school is going to be built. Parents are anxiously enquiring where they can register their childrens names.

Ladies at Artisans Effort, India, Pam McGann on right in blue

 Ejaz and Shaista know what it means to be poor. With twin boys and no income they were forced to give one of their twin babies to Shaistas family to look after for several years. Food was one meal a day. Wedding jewellery which was given by their families was mortgaged and they never saw it again. Ejaz and Shaista understand the suffering of the poor. That is why this year they were elected to be the Human Rights state representatives for West Bengal. This is a voluntary role.

 Ejaz sums up the dream “The school will definately not be able to solve the problem in a huge population but will give a smile and happiness to some. We are very thankful to God that fair trade has taught us something to do for others. According to me, the real good human being gets happy when he/ she is able to bring happiness on needy peoples lives.” It is with the same compassion and love for all mankind that Artisans Effort kindly donated US$100 to the Australian Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

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Fair Trade Event in Cairns for Fair Trade Fortnight

 

Pam Mcgann Guest speaker

Pam McGann, the Director of Siham Craftlink Pty Ltd. had the pleasure of being guest speaker at an informative and pleasurable event on Saturday,8^th May in Cairns.

Raffle prizes

The event in celebration of fair trade fortnight 2010, was organized by

Ethos Han

dicrafts Gifts and Homewares 2/132 Collins Avenue in Edge Hill , Cairns and Maria and the Justice Squad from St. Gerard Majella School . Pam McGann shared personal experiences from her visit to fair trade organizations and producer groups in Thailand, Bangladesh and India in February, 2010.

Photographic display

Auction of childrens artwork

An auction was held of art work by children in Kolkata. From door entry donations, raffles and the auction, $461.15 was raised. This will go towards building a school for needy children. This proposed school is a dream coming true for the fair trade Organization, Artisans Effort in Kolkata.

Purchasing Fair trade gifts

It was a wonderful inspiring and happy event, one that Siham Craftlink was proud to be affiliated with.

 

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A Fair Trade Journey, Recycled paper Project, Thailand

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided “Courtesy of Siham Craftlink www.sihamcraftlink.com”

Photos http://www.sihamcraftlink.com/album/recycledpaper/index.htmThese photos are in an album format and the small photos when clicked open to larger photos.

 Recycled Paper Group Thailand

 It was an adventure before we even visited the recycled paper group , about an hour and a half drive outside of Bangkok, Thailand.  After telephoning for numerous directions,and driving up and down narrow streets and over canal bridges, our driver eventually brought us to the house and village where the ladies make the amazing items from recycled telephone books and recycled promotional/ advertising brochures. We were excitedly met by Rachada Tripobsrisakul, the leader of the recycled paper group. Rachada shared with us that eight years ago she had no work.There was a government teaching programme at the time and she learnt to weave baskets. Her skill and artistic talent  developed beyond weaving the basic baskets. Soon she was weaving lizard, butterfly, dragonfly and penguin designs and there was no stopping her!! Her imagination and skill ran wild. Rachada has taught many people in her village . I had an attempt at step one, rolling one piece of recycled paper onto a length of thin wire. Well, I failed dismally. The paper and the wire has to be at exactly the right angle!! And that is the easy bit before the complexity of weaving amazing life like animal and bird shapes takes place. After hundreds of strips of rolled wired paper are assembled, they are dyed . Again the imagination can run wild as to what colours will be then used to make that lizard magnet and what colours will be used to make that butterfly magnet ? There were riots of colour. Rachada has trained many ladies and men in her village. It is obvious that different individuals have different skills. We timed Rachada. She wove a lizard magnet in ten minutes! For some of the other ladies they were struggling after half an hour.  When the orders come in, the whole village gets involved. There is a buzz of activity. Craft production in the morning and in the afternoon it is field work . The village is surrounded by rice paddies .  The Recycled Paper Group do not pay for the yellow pages that they artistically recycle but they do pay someone for the collection of unwanted “junk Mail” such as advertising brochures and flyers.  With an array of different recycled paper” critters” on display, it was hard to know what to select to add to the ever popular present range of butterfly, dragonfly and lizard magnets as well as the recycled paper maracas that Siham Craftlink presently sells. It was decided that the frog and ladybird beetle magnets will add a nice diversity to the Siham range this year. As we left the village, we saw an amazing sight. There was a canal that was” jumping” with activity. We were curious. This was a frog farm , and the nets were in place, just as if the villagers were going to trap fish.   The Recycled Paper items are purchased through ThaiCraft Association, a non profit Organization. ThaiCraft works in partnership with over 70 community based artisan groups . ThaiCrafts objectives are to promote self-reliance for craftspeople with income generating opportunities and to preserve indigenous craft traditions in Thailand. As a member of the International Federation of Alternate Trade ( IFAT) , ThaiCraft is committed to promoting fair trade practices with a concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of craft producers.

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A Fair Trade Journey, The Lao Song Handcraft Group, Thailand

Any of the information in this story or photos may be reprinted for promotional purposes on the conditional proviso it is stated that it has been provided “Courtesy of Siham Craftlink www.sihamcraftlink.com”

The Fair Trade journey continues, The Lao Song Handcraft Group

The Lao Song Handcraft Group Thailand

 About one and a half hours drive from the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, are the Lao Song Group of Artisans. After driving up and down narrow roads surrounded by rice fields we arrived at the house where some of the artisans had gathered to meet us. The wooden house , built high off the ground is typical of homes in this area.

 The Lao Song group of artisans comprises thirty ladies and three men. This most versatile group handstitch the most delightful decorations and soft toys. The stitching is so fine that I asked twice if the stitching is by hand or by machine.

I was reassured that everything is handstitched( except zips which require the extra strength of stitching by the treadle sewing machines)

On the day that we visited, a group of twelve women and one man had gathered. They sat quietly on the wooden floor. Displayed in front of them was a wonderful diverse selection of their products. I was told by Wantana Tianhom , their kind and caring leader , that most of the artisans involved in this group have health problems. Lui was one of the ladies who had gathered to meet us. She had only recently returned from hospital after having a below knee amputation due to diabetes. Many of the artisans suffer from diabetes, cancer and thyroid problems. When they receive orders for their products there is much joy,there is renewed energy and new hope. Many are able to pay for their medical bills from the income earned. For some it is their main income. For others who work in the rice fields, they are able to supplement their income and pay for their childrens education.

I was told that there were four years when the rice fields failed and during this time the sale of the handwork was the only means of income for this village. The group support each other. Ton is very poor and rice is regularly given to her for her family.

Some of the work is organized in their homes ( the ladies carried little bags or baskets with their partly completed work). At other times they come together in the Lao Song House and work together. For some items they may work as a team eg one person do the cutting, another the embellishment and another the sewing. Some of the artisans specialize in the making of different items.

Originally the designs were created by missionaries but now Wantana has this role. When orders are received for this group, Wantana travels to Bangkok to purchase the materials.

Siham craftlink will be adding to their present range from the Lao Song Group.

New Christmas decorations arriving for 2010 include the majestic standing reindeer , silver Christmas wreath with poinsettia decoration and a graceful butterfly decoration.

And… amongst the decorations on display I found a Mr. skiing reindeer to accompany Mrs. skiing reindeer which we presently stock.

The Lao Song items are purchased through ThaiCraft Association, a non profit Organization. ThaiCraft works in partnership with over 70 community based artisan groups . ThaiCrafts objectives are to promote self-reliance for craftspeople with income generating opportunities and to preserve indigenous craft traditions in Thailand. As a member of the International Federation of Alternate Trade ( IFAT) , ThaiCraft is committed to promoting fair trade practices with a concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of craft producers.

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