News

Couple find fair way in 'Fair Trade'

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	SPECIAL ART: Baptiste and Miranda Paul show one of the Fair Trade art pieces they sell at their shop during a fund-raiser for JOSHUA at Nativity Church, Green Bay. (Rick Evans photo)

A poor barrio on the south side of Guatemala City offers very little to its residents. They do not have a sewage disposal system, clean water or electricity. No jobs are available.

A group of area women, frustrated by their surroundings, decided to do something about it. They established a medical and dental clinic, programs for mothers and babies, a daycare, and a scholarship program for children in school.

They did it all by running a craft program. The group, UPAVIM (Unidas Para Vivir Mejor or United for a Better Life), employs approximately 60 women. They make crafts from Guatemalan fabrics and sell the items through Fair Trade global marketplaces including Worldgoods in Green Bay.

Worldgoods, owned and operated by Miranda and Baptiste Paul, carries Fair Trade items from more than 25 countries.

An information card featuring the story about how the product was made, who made it and who a purchase supports, accompanies each item. Many people are familiar with Fair Trade coffee, but a wide variety of items are available, said Miranda.

"You can buy almost anything in an ethical way," she said. "Most people are surprised by the number of different products. Fair trade protects the rights of disadvantaged producers. Fair Trade makes sure they get a fair wage and have good working conditions. Protection of the environment is also within the code of ethics."

Consumers of Fair Trade products should be cautious, she added. Most Fair Trade products are labeled. For example, food items feature a black and white "Fair Trade Certified" label.

"There are people who use Fair Trade as a marketing scheme," said Miranda. "They often produce their own labels and try to pass off their items as Fair Trade."

Products are Fair Trade Certified by such organizations as the Fair Trade Federation, the International Federation of Alternative Trade or TransFairUSA. Worldgoods is undergoing the official FTF certification process.

Fair Trade Federation members pledge to:

• Pay a fair wage in the local context, not only enough to cover material and labor costs, but enough to improve the standard of living.
• Provide equal opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
• Engage in environmentally sustainable practices.
• Build long-term trade relationships.
• Provide healthy and safe working conditions.
• Provide financial and technical assistance to workers whenever possible.

Miranda, a Green Bay native and member of Prince of Peace Parish, credits a college experience for her involvement in Fair Trade. A program through St. Mary's College in Maryland allows education students to spend a three-month period in Gambia teaching English at a school.

"The teachers over there teach from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.," she said. "I was able to relieve a teacher for a few classes. It's a good global experience."

"The people were so welcoming," she added. "They don't celebrate birthdays, but they know we celebrate birthdays in the United States. I was there during my birthday and they gave me some beautiful crafts. During that experience I thought to myself, 'I'm going to do something great for the people of Gambia some day, especially the people in my village.' This is my way of fulfilling that promise."

Miranda left for her third trip to Brikama, Gambia, on June 18 to deliver donations and assist with Fair Trade efforts. She planned to work in a rural area with women who make purses from recycled materials. The project was started by a Peace Corps volunteer.

"Artisans in Brikama have a difficult time earning a fair wage and maintaining a steady flow of customers," said Miranda. "They need assistance."

Worldgoods carries several Fair Trade items from the United States, including bracelets made by women in need in Chicago. Items compare favorably in price to major retailers, said Miranda.

"You may pay $20 for a Fair Trade T-shirt, for example, but it's organic," she said. "You will pay a little more for organic items wherever you go."

In addition to operating the retail store, the Pauls promote Fair Trade items online and through Fair Trade Fiestas.

"People will host awareness fiestas in their homes or through organizations," said Miranda. "I bring a selection of items. I usually tell them to pick out one of the items and then tell them the story behind it. It's a way of increasing awareness, and usually everyone finds something they like."

Worldgoods also offers fund-raising opportunities. Last week's "Breakfast for Dinner" event hosted by JOSHUA at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Ashwaubenon, featured a silent auction with Worldgoods items.

Baptiste, who was born in Saint Lucia, spoke at the event about overcoming obstacles in his life. He is a graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and is an executive with Walgreen's.

"He was able to succeed because people believed in him and gave him an opportunity," said Miranda, a 2000 graduate of Notre Dame Academy. "People around the world just need the opportunity."

Supporting Fair Trade is a matter of social justice, said Br. Steve Herro, O.Praem., social concerns consultant for the Diocese of Green Bay.

"Catholic Relief Services is a huge advocate of Fair Trade," he said. "It's a way for low income producers to receive a greater percentage of the profit. There are opportunities for parishes to offer support by buying Fair Trade coffee or using Fair Trade stores for fund-raisers."

"I would hope that every parish would know about Fair Trade," said Miranda. "Once you know about it, you can't ignore it."

Other Fair Trade marketplaces in the diocese include Globally Sound in Appleton (326 E. Wisconsin Avenue, www.globallysound.com). Miranda hopes to see more.

"The more people find out we are mission driven, the more the mission grows and the more popular we get," she said. "I don't look at it as competition, I look at it as awareness."

"If I don't make a dime," she added. "If I end up breaking even, I wouldn't feel that I lost anything. I'm able to go to Gambia and give back."

For more information about Worldgoods, visit www.worldgoodsgb.com, call (920)569-6332 or e-mail: Worldgoods@mac.com. The retail store at 602 Zelas Drive (Green Bay's eastside) is open most days from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment.