There is a woman in Haiti who is desperately searching for a way to make a living so that she won't have to place her children in an orphanage. In Uganda, a mother with AIDS is confined to a sick bed and wishes she could find a way to earn the money needed for her medication.
A mother of three in East Brainerd partners with Trades of Hope to change the lives of these women and countless others.
"I have never met them but they are still my sisters - they are just like me," said Linda Townsend, a "compassion entrepreneur" with Trades of Hope. "I cannot imagine not being able to give my children the basic necessities. It breaks my heart."
Trades of Hope is a mission-minded company that deals in Fair Trade products, empowering more than 130 self-employed representatives with the ability to aid women across the globe by selling their handmade, one-of-a-kind creations at home parties and online. Through selling the merchandise made by women that live in far away and sometimes impoverished countries, Townsend said she and other compassion entrepreneurs give those women hope and a purpose by helping them earn a way to provide for their families.
"[The women] want the opportunity; they don't want the charity," Townsend said. "What we give is usually six times what they would normally make if employed in their own country."
The women create products such as beaded jewelry made from recycled cereal boxes, beautifully woven baskets and fruit bowls, handmade silk and cotton scarves or even decorative Christmas ornaments for the upcoming holiday season. Trades of Hope, which was founded in 2010 by a group of women in Florida, brings the products overseas, commissioning the compassion entrepreneurs to market and sell the accessories and décor for a profit.
"[The merchandise] comes from the artisans and the profits go straight back to the artisans," said Townsend. "It's a story of hope, giving someone who is in despair hope again."
At a typical Trades of Hope home party, Townsend said she likes to keep it simple and low-key by advising her hostess to invite a few friends over while providing coffee and some snacks. After a short presentation on Trades of Hope's mission, the guests can browse through the Fair Trade products, knowing they are spending their money for the benefit of women just like them. Nothing the company offers costs more than $50, according to Townsend.
"We have beautiful pieces [of jewelry] you can get for around $20," she said.
A more convenient option for those that are too busy to host or attend a home party is to shop online at tradesofhope.com, and any purchases will be shipped directly to their house, Townsend said.
For more information visit the website or call Townsend at 580-3408.