Handcrafting Justice
Encyclopedia
HandCrafting Justice is an alternative trading organization
working with approximately 2,000 women in 18 developing countries. It was started in October 1997 as a project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. HCJ is a member of the Fair Trade Federation
and Co-op America
.
They do this by:
in October 1997 to develop a fair trade marketplace for handcrafted goods produced at locations sponsored by Good Shepherd Sisters
in many developing countries. Through the marketing of these handcrafted goods they are able to raise awareness of the situations of women in the developing world. HandCrafting Justice also supports the women financially through their employment, allowing them to provide for their families and to improve their own lives.
The creation of HandCrafting Justice grew out of a need to provide new income streams for women whose own strengths and skills would allow them to build a means of survival for their families. The Good Shepherd Sisters formed HCJ intending that by creating a flow of income in very low-income communities, they were establishing an important means of women's self-sufficiency.
The unique objective of HandCrafting Justice is the empowerment of each individual woman through a holistic approach: providing spiritual and emotional empowerment and economic opportunity. Along with economic opportunity, the Good Shepherd Sisters
provide the support that is necessary to overcome the trauma and hardships these women confront throughout their lives. Through counseling, educational programs on healthcare, self worth, and parenting skills, as well as schooling opportunities to those who cannot otherwise afford it, women gain a sense of new-found hope for themselves and their families. An example of their work is the traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace, Ñandutí
.
As consumers, we are often not aware of how a product was produced or of the individual stories behind the label. In fact, the goods we buy are often produced in sweatshops, under unjust working conditions. By supporting Fair Trade
initiatives, we are supporting individuals and farmers who face unjust wages and conditions, and are vulnerable to exploitation.
Our Fair Trade marketplace is a smart investment that helps women in developing countries break the cycle of poverty by using their skills and cultural traditions to market and sell authentic crafts. The dollars you spend on our products provide women in developing countries with hope and the economic, educational, health, and spiritual assistance that can transform their lives, families and communities.
Increasing globalization has brought much suffering to the poorest people of the world. Many countries with underdeveloped economies cannot offer social protection to the most vulnerable. Many people become unemployed or lose income because of declines in the demand for unskilled labor, decreases in cash crop prices, or lost land, to name but a few factors.
On the other hand, globalization offers new possibilities for cooperation. Good Shepherd Economic Justice Ministries International is working to utilize these possibilities. We wish to play our part in helping globalization work for the poor of the world.
are in 67 countries. Their mission is to empower women and girls and their families who are marginalized in society for various reasons. They believe passionately in the dignity and unique value of each person.
The Good Shepherd Sisters
have established many skills training and employment generating projects for many individuals, and especially women, who face such poverty. These employment projects often have a local market focus, such as a cooperative laundry run in Davao
, Philippines, a jam-making enterprise in Baguio, Philippines, a leather goods site in Bangalore, India, a small bakery in Peru, and a welding project in El Obeid
, Sudan.
Other projects need markets outside their local areas. The international network of the Good Shepherd Sisters
assists in this through organizations like HandCrafting Justice in the US, Sharing Fair in Ireland and the Good Shepherd Trading Circle in Australia and New Zealand.
Alternative trading organization
An alternative trading organization is usually a non-governmental organization or mission-driven business aligned with the Fair trade movement, aiming "to contribute to the alleviation of poverty in developing regions of the world by establishing a system of trade that allows marginalized...
working with approximately 2,000 women in 18 developing countries. It was started in October 1997 as a project of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. HCJ is a member of the Fair Trade Federation
Fair Trade Federation
The Fair Trade Federation is a Washington DC-based nonprofit trade association that provides support to and promotes North American businesses that they identify as being fully committed to the principles of fair trade...
and Co-op America
Co-op America
Green America, formerly known as Co-op America, is a nonprofit membership organization based in the United States that promotes ethical consumerism...
.
Mission
As an international network, they work in partnership with women and those in social and economic distress. They support them and assist them in their efforts to create employment for themselves in order to provide for their families and better their lives.They do this by:
- Marketing items they make
- Raising consciousness of the situations in which they live
- Creating opportunities for women and men in the U.S. to get involved
- Telling the stories of women, men and children
- Creating networks of people in search of sustainable economic options for those in the developing world
History of HCJ
HandCrafting Justice was created in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in October 1997 to develop a fair trade marketplace for handcrafted goods produced at locations sponsored by Good Shepherd Sisters
Good Shepherd Sisters
The Good Shepherd Sisters is a Roman Catholic order of women religious. In addition to the standard vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Good Shepherd Sisters take the following fourth vow of zeal for souls [to save souls], particularly of women and girls."I bind myself to the labor for...
in many developing countries. Through the marketing of these handcrafted goods they are able to raise awareness of the situations of women in the developing world. HandCrafting Justice also supports the women financially through their employment, allowing them to provide for their families and to improve their own lives.
The creation of HandCrafting Justice grew out of a need to provide new income streams for women whose own strengths and skills would allow them to build a means of survival for their families. The Good Shepherd Sisters formed HCJ intending that by creating a flow of income in very low-income communities, they were establishing an important means of women's self-sufficiency.
The unique objective of HandCrafting Justice is the empowerment of each individual woman through a holistic approach: providing spiritual and emotional empowerment and economic opportunity. Along with economic opportunity, the Good Shepherd Sisters
Good Shepherd Sisters
The Good Shepherd Sisters is a Roman Catholic order of women religious. In addition to the standard vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Good Shepherd Sisters take the following fourth vow of zeal for souls [to save souls], particularly of women and girls."I bind myself to the labor for...
provide the support that is necessary to overcome the trauma and hardships these women confront throughout their lives. Through counseling, educational programs on healthcare, self worth, and parenting skills, as well as schooling opportunities to those who cannot otherwise afford it, women gain a sense of new-found hope for themselves and their families. An example of their work is the traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace, Ñandutí
Ñandutí
Ñandutí is a traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace, introduced by the Spaniards, that is related to Teneriffe lace. The name means "spider web" in Guaraní, the official, indigenous language of Paraguay.-External links:-More information:...
.
Fair Trade Uniforms
The Fair Trade Uniform Project offers schools the possibility of supporting HCJ's fair trade program through their school uniform purchases. Each uniform is created by women at HCJ-supported sites in Thailand and Mexico. HCJ intends that through this project women "will be able to remain in their local villages to work rather than migrating to the urban areas which often leads to undignified working conditions."The Need for Fair Trade
HandCrafting Justice's fair trade philosophy is summarized on their website as follows:As consumers, we are often not aware of how a product was produced or of the individual stories behind the label. In fact, the goods we buy are often produced in sweatshops, under unjust working conditions. By supporting Fair Trade
Fair trade
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards...
initiatives, we are supporting individuals and farmers who face unjust wages and conditions, and are vulnerable to exploitation.
Our Fair Trade marketplace is a smart investment that helps women in developing countries break the cycle of poverty by using their skills and cultural traditions to market and sell authentic crafts. The dollars you spend on our products provide women in developing countries with hope and the economic, educational, health, and spiritual assistance that can transform their lives, families and communities.
Increasing globalization has brought much suffering to the poorest people of the world. Many countries with underdeveloped economies cannot offer social protection to the most vulnerable. Many people become unemployed or lose income because of declines in the demand for unskilled labor, decreases in cash crop prices, or lost land, to name but a few factors.
On the other hand, globalization offers new possibilities for cooperation. Good Shepherd Economic Justice Ministries International is working to utilize these possibilities. We wish to play our part in helping globalization work for the poor of the world.
History of The Sisters of the Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd SistersGood Shepherd Sisters
The Good Shepherd Sisters is a Roman Catholic order of women religious. In addition to the standard vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Good Shepherd Sisters take the following fourth vow of zeal for souls [to save souls], particularly of women and girls."I bind myself to the labor for...
are in 67 countries. Their mission is to empower women and girls and their families who are marginalized in society for various reasons. They believe passionately in the dignity and unique value of each person.
The Good Shepherd Sisters
Good Shepherd Sisters
The Good Shepherd Sisters is a Roman Catholic order of women religious. In addition to the standard vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Good Shepherd Sisters take the following fourth vow of zeal for souls [to save souls], particularly of women and girls."I bind myself to the labor for...
have established many skills training and employment generating projects for many individuals, and especially women, who face such poverty. These employment projects often have a local market focus, such as a cooperative laundry run in Davao
Davao
Davao refers to several closely related places in Mindanao in the Philippines. The term is used most often to refer to the city.*Davao Region, an administrative region*Davao del Norte province*Davao del Sur province*Davao Oriental province...
, Philippines, a jam-making enterprise in Baguio, Philippines, a leather goods site in Bangalore, India, a small bakery in Peru, and a welding project in El Obeid
Al-Ubayyid
Al-Ubayyid , also spelled El Obeid, is the capital of the state of North Kurdufan in central Sudan. In 2008, its population was 340,940. It is an important transportation hub: the terminus of a rail line, the junction of various roads and camel caravan routes, and the end of a pilgrim route from...
, Sudan.
Other projects need markets outside their local areas. The international network of the Good Shepherd Sisters
Good Shepherd Sisters
The Good Shepherd Sisters is a Roman Catholic order of women religious. In addition to the standard vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Good Shepherd Sisters take the following fourth vow of zeal for souls [to save souls], particularly of women and girls."I bind myself to the labor for...
assists in this through organizations like HandCrafting Justice in the US, Sharing Fair in Ireland and the Good Shepherd Trading Circle in Australia and New Zealand.