Lots to write, no time to write it all!
So, instead, I’ll share with you a fair trade site that a friend of a friend started (I think that’s the right amount of friend-generations). It’s called Bambootique, and you should check it out. 
From their website:
Welcome to Bambootique’s online fair trade store! Bambootique’s unique lines of fair trade purses, jewelry, candles, silk scarves and paper products are handmade and handcrafted by women’s artisan cooperatives in developing countries. From Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Honduras, Guatemala and Cambodia, all of our fairly traded goods embrace cultural diversity and promote social awareness. When you purchase any item, you are empowering these women to improve their lives, as well as the lives of their children.
I have a birthday coming up, you know. And this is really cute. 
Ok, so I am thinking that there are parts of this store I’m really grooving on, but there are other parts I think which would keep me from ever supporting such a place. Why just women? Don’t men have to have support in Africa? What, does hunting lions take up all their time and make them not need this kind of empowerment? Can’t we learn that until we stop putting one group in front of another we’ll never get over the bigotry facing the world today. Just like Ophrah, sure set up a school in Africa, but don’t exclude boys, teach them all black, white, male, female, gay, straight, Muslem, Christian… Grrrrrrrr
Sorry, I’ll vent somewhere else, maybe my own blog…
You know Rantz, there is a fair trade store on the corner next to my office and you will be happy to know that they support goods from men and women alike in under developed countries. I don’t think Oprah is associated with it though. I do really like my purse, wallet, change purse and jewlery from it. And it does make you feel good to give it to someone who needs it.
Bambootique rocks, especially when shopping for a gift for my wife.
For those of you sports-minded, more Fair Trade gifts are available at our online shop of Fair Trade soccer balls (and volleyball, rugby, etc): http://www.fairtradesports.com
- Scott James
Fair Trade Sports
http://www.fairtradesports.com
Fair Trade Soccer Balls with FSC Certification!
Rantz: Thanks, always, for sharing your thoughts out here. You know they’re always welcome.
I get what you’re saying. I’m all for helping whoever is in need, but I also understand people pursuing their passions for different groups of people. The truth is, no one person can meet the needs of all. I honestly believe, though, that if everyone was using their gifts and following their passions, then the needs of all WOULD be met. And so, I really do get your desire for people to give to everyone and anyone regardless of color, nationality, religion, etc. For now, I can only encourage those who are giving to keep giving, and those who aren’t yet to do so. Like I said, if everyone was doing their part, the needs would be met. And now I’m just trying to get my part going! 
Jack: I need a change purse. Do they have any cute ones there?
Scott: Thanks so much for commenting here and for sharing your site.
I’ve had just a little time to go looking around there, but will definitely be returning to your site for gifts and such!
Kerri: As always, my views are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of mynameismommy or any person or persons related to this website. You are correct though in stating that more of us need to do more to make things happen. I know I am guilty of that. I have a new project that I plan on unvailing later today to help a little in that way. I just wonder, is there a way we could donate funds to certain projects with WorldVision? I think the building of an auquafer and water treatment plant would go a long way in helping the people of many countries…
Rantz: Why, yes you can.
You’ll hear all the details on Sunday, but you can also look at the gift catalog by clicking on the image on the BBQ page. You can buy shares of a well or of a health clinic, things like that. So, your big unveiling. Will that be on your blog, or are you just going to announce it in your kitchen or something? 
I’m watching for it. You know I’ll support it if I can!!!
Sweet! I’m buying shares in a well! Wow, that’s deep!
The unvailing is on my blog. Check and see. I think you may like.
Rantz: Deep. I get it.
There are a few ways to give for healthy water supplies. Some are shares of a well, others are safe storage containers, others are pumps for helping with irrigation and such. And that’s just water! I’m looking forward to see what different parts of the catalog speak to different people at the party.
Water. That to me is the key. Why isn’t there life on Mars? No water. What makes up 98% of the human body? Water. Name the 3 necessities for life; air, food, water. Without water and air, there is no food (air being basically free and not polluted by industry too much yet (I hope).). Excuse me, I think I need a drink. Something cold and refreshing… Know anything like that? WATER! (I know, I’m silly).
Yes, you are. By far, the silliest Rantz I know!
I was googling my site to see how we’re doing on google rankings, and came across this lively discussion on your blog! First of all, thank you so much for posting us on your blog. Who is the friend who told you about Bambootique? I appreciate the valid point made about the need to help men as well as women in developing countries. We (my business partner, Tammy) and I have chosen to focus on buying mainly from women because, almost universally, women are the most disenfranchised in developing countries. They are the least likely to be educated, receive adequate healthcare or nutrition, and are the most likely to be exploited by middlemen who buy their crafts for next to nothing and then sell them for huge profits. So when we started Bambootique, we decided we wanted to focus on empowering women because we felt we could have the most impact that way. That said, men are involved in a number of our product lines and having men involved in no way disqualifies a cooperative from selling to Bambootique. I hope that helps, and thanks to all of you for your interest in Bambootique!
Beth Sethi
Co-founder, Bambootique
http://www.shopbambootique.com
I am so down with fair trade! I love this link.
Beth: Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
I heard of you from the lovely Mrs. Anne Fisher, soon to be of the Fishers of La Paz. http://www.fishersoflapaz.com/
I hope all the best to you and to all who will be served by Bambootique.
Kate: Very cool. I’ll throw some more out here when I find them. There’s another that I really like, just have to find it again.
If you like fair trade products (like coin purses and great handbags) check out Trade as One http://www.tradeasone.com.
Egads, I’m late to this party.
Rantz,
You’re comments about putting one group in front of another have me thinking. There’s an implication that the two groups (women and men; non-whites and whites; etc.) are on par, i.e. you can choose which group gets put in front.
Isn’t it the case, however, that in many cases one group tends to be way in front of the other? Take the case of women in many developing nations. A variety of social structures have kept women way behind men. So could it be more accurate to say these sort of targeted missions providing a boost to a group that is way behind.
Baldie: Sure, it does help to provide a boost, but where does it stop? In today’s American society we are still giving boosts for minorities although in most cases they are level. Or the arguement becomes why doesn’t so and so make as much as such and such. Do we ever then say, we’re equal and we can live as much? The more we point out the differences between each other, the more we keep them there. We can’t move forward by handicapping one to help another. Women in developing countries will catch up if given an equal chance. I know what women are capable of. Make them equal and in many cases they will come out on top. We don’t need to lift them higher in hopes they can achieve that.
Setting aside the fact we are speaking about developing nations, are you arguing that the playing field has actually been leveled here in these “progressive” United States of America? I’m no expert, but I don’t think the statistics bear that out.
“Where does it stop?” It stops when justice has been achieved. It stops when power is no longer used to oppress and crush, but instead used to expand love and live.
We cannot – and should not – pretend differences among people do not exist. (I feel like we’ve disagreed on this point before…) Likewise, we cannot assume a laissez-faire approach will result is expanding justice. History bears this out. Those with power unfortunately tend to use that power to keep and gain more power.
Baldie: Seems that we are getting a little off topic here so I decided to move this over to my blog so as not to clog up Kerri’s space. You can read my response here and comment.
Ok, it looks like my link didn’t work. Let me try again:
Ok, I can’t do html today. Go here to read my comment:
http://keepersofthetruth.blogspot.com/2007/06/response-on-empowerment.html
Now my link works… I’m going to crawl back under my “I’m not a programer” rock and practice. I’m so embarrassed.
OK, no link showing up here, but I’m sure I’ll be able to find it… but not til I get home. Our net filters here at work aren’t fond of Blogger.
[...] Beth of Bambootique!!!! Congratulations! I’ll contact you via e-mail so you can claim your prize! [...]