One World Market, 811 Ninth Street. Laura Wendell couldn’t wait to share with us why she is “so passionate about what we do and how we are changing lives in 58 different companies” at the store where she has been Executive Director for the past four years. The store features hand-made crafts and artwork created by craftspeople from countries that are struggling economically as well as items from impoverished regions of the United States. The store is unique in that it is the only Durham non-profit devoted exclusively to the mission of fair trade, the welfare of it artisans come before profit, and the income artists receive from selling their wares is sufficient to support their cost of living needs for housing, food, education, and medical care. Without this opportunity, thousands of artisans would be vulnerable to exploitation, desperate to sell their products at any price whether or not they provide living wages or cover their costs. Founded 16 year ago by Watts Street Baptist Church and Durham Congregations in Action, One World Market takes its policies and direction from a volunteer board of directors. The store is run by three paid staff members, about 50 active volunteers, and enjoys an extended family of supporters in the community. This is more than just a job, it is a passion – between them, the three employees have over 20 years real-world experience in developing countries. Laura can personally relate to the health challenges of the tropics, “I had a long list of tropical illnesses during my time as a Peace Corps volunteer including malaria, dengue fever, amoebic dysentery and giardia.” Laura shares that One World Market is “more than a store. Our customers feel very involved – it is a community service, a way for people to give a gift with added value because it is helping the people who produced it and not exploiting craftspeople or the environment.” Store-sponsored offsite events in the community and schools share their fair-trade message and stories about the artisans who make their products. A picture on the One World Market’s door shows children in Zimbabwe holding dolls. The caption reads, “Buying from us at Christmas means buying for them at Christmas. Why in the world would you shop anywhere else?” Why indeed? One World Market is located at 811 Ninth Street - Suite 100 - Durham, NC 27705; (919) 286-2457;
[email protected]; http://www.oneworldmarket.info/
This article was written by Kim Batson and originally published in The Landist News December 19, 2008 issue. Email [email protected] for reprint permission.
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