Traidcraft’s autumn 2010 catalogue boasts more than 400 products from craft workers and farmers across Africa, Latin America and Asia, workers like Shiran Karunaratne of Gospel House who described the importance of the Traidcraft order, particularly in an area where employment can be hard to find. “Our relationship goes back to the start of Traidcraft. The product development is something very valuable.”
He added: “This year, it is the largest order that we have received from Traidcraft in its history. Thank you for all the partnership on behalf of all the producers. If they did not do this, what work can they do?”
Many workers at Gospel House in Sri Lanka played a part in creating the Traidcraft bus – a beautiful wooden double-decker bus. Hand-painted in Sri Lanka it comes with 24 passengers and a driver, slide-off roof, removable top floor and rotating wheels – hours of fun and imaginative play guaranteed!
Also new this autumn are the Batsiranai dolls from Zimbabwe. Not only are these great gifts, but they give the opportunity to brighten a child’s life, as each doll’s ‘twin’ stays in Zimbabwe and will be given to a boy or girl in a family affected by HIV/AIDS.
Browse through the new catalogue to find festive food treats, new glass collectables and a wider range of beautiful scarves and winter warmth knitwear, as well as Christmas cards, wrap and other seasonal essentials.
After they proved so popular last year, the recycled paper nativity sets from Vietnam return this season. Other Christmas decorations include a set of six vibrant fair trade jute baubles presented in a handmade paper box.
When buying your fair trade Christmas gifts from Traidcraft you can feel good knowing that the products you’ve bought have helped improve producers’ lives in the developing world. Like Lo Thi Tien from Craft Link in Vietnam who carefully hand-makes ceramics: “Thanks to working here, I have a stable job with a stable income. I am happy with the work. I have money for my son’s education.”
The catalogue has all the old favourites, from beautiful handmade jewellery and striking homeware products to colourful children’s gifts and stylish clothing. There’s also the usual extensive selection of quality fair trade food products, beverages and wine and the re-launched Geobar, with increased fair trade content, meaning more producers benefit from each purchase.
For further information about Traidcraft visit www.traidcraft.co.uk
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Notes to editors:
• Traidcraft is a Christian response to poverty and has been fighting poverty through trade for more than 30 years.
• Traidcraft works to fight poverty through trade by:
Trading with people in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Supporting people in the developing world to build sustainable businesses
Influencing policy making in government and business.
• Traidcraft sources its products from community-based businesses in the developing world, paying fair prices to the producers and distributing the products in the UK. The goods are sold via supermarkets, independent retailers, online, mail order, and a network of more than 6,000 Fair Traders.
• For product information, high resolution images and samples contact Cool Blue on 01642 351011 or email karen.parker@coolbluebrand.com or rachael.heath@coolbluebrand.com
• For all other enquiries contact the Traidcraft press office on 0191 497 6462 or email media@traidcraft.co.uk
