One of the problems in the world is the lack of some peoples to make a living. We all know that most of the goods imported from countries in Eastern Asia are made in sweat shops. People of all ages, children to adults work long hours in horrible conditions, so that we Westerners can have cheap t-shirts and running shoes. We like being able to buy inexpensive coffee, so we support a system where peoples along the equator harvest coffee beans for pennies a day. I could go on a soap box and talk all day about how the world is exploiting so many less developed countries while destroying much of our own economy and the environment along the way. If you are bracing yourself for the usual rant, hang on, as I am going to spare you. Instead, I wanted to talk about a company that is doing a lot to change this system for the better. It gives me hope that we can truly change things.  The company is called Seven Hopes United.  Their mission is clear:  help make the world better by supporting efforts to help impoverished peoples on all 7 continents by selling handmade goods of artisans who earn a living wage, all with the least impact on the environment.  Their website is very informative and tells more about their efforts, but here is a lead in:

Seven Hopes United aspires to enrich the lives of communities worldwide through providing a means to a living wage for thousands of artisans and their families, while moving forward to build an alternative market based on the dignity and worth of all people. Seven Hopes United specializes in marketing fairly-traded handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor and personal accessories from producers around the globe. Seven Hopes United supports a trading partnership aimed at obtaining sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers by operating according to fair trade criteria, and investing a portion of our proceeds back into their communities.

At Seven Hopes United, we believe that above all else, our business should be based on respect:

• Respectful of ourselves and our own personal commitment to integrity.
• Respectful of basic human rights and the dignity and worth of all people.
• Respectful to our environment by reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
• Respectful of our commitment to invest in disadvantaged communities, and provide a living wage to our employees and producers.

I am a big believer in fair trade as a way to help promote world peace. I think more can be done to stabilize the planet’s governments and economies by eradicating poverty and disease than can ever be done with guns and ammo. If no one had to worry about food, shelter, or medicines, why would there be radical uprisings? I also believe that we should start now to show countries that are following us into the modern global market place that there is away to support themselves without destroying the planet or its peoples. So how can you help? Think clearly about the products that you buy and support Fair Trade products. Companies like Seven Hopes United have done all the hard work.  By buying from their site you can be assured that you are doing the right thing and you can buy some unique gifts!  For example…

You can buy hand carved wooden figures from Africa.  These help support local artisans who hand carve these goods and make a decent living doing it.  The wood they use is harvested in a sustainable manner and the money raised helps support conservation efforts, either directly or by giving locals another means to make a living other than by poaching gorillas or destroying the natural habitats of endangered animals.

Many of their products are made using common recycled goods.  These programs encourage the collection of waste products and trash and help keep their environment litter free.  These goods come from around the globe from places like Nepal and Kenya, and are made from common goods like plastic wrappers and pop cans that otherwise would be tossed out.

 I encourage you to check out the Seven Hopes United website to see more of the cool goods that can be purchased to help make the world a better place.  You can even start a gift registry, so your next wedding can do wonders to help the world (how many blenders do you really want anyway?) You can find things like carvings, baskets, jewelry…like these cool bracelets.  They’re made from flip flops.  Ever wonder what happens when you leave a flip flop on the beach?  Many of them float back up on other beaches around the world.  In Kenya, a unique combination of currents drives thousands of flip flops from around the world onto the beach.  What a better way to use them, than by making attractive jewelry out of them?  Those folks who collect this “garbage” are paid a living wage and the beach benefits from their efforts.  I LOVE this idea. The next time you are giving a gift, think about giving a gift of hope along with something physical.