Celebrate World Fair Trade Day, Saturday, May 10th - International Focus on Ecology

Uncategorized

World Fair Trade Day is an annual event, celebrating fair trade and the amazing cultural and ethical exchange it fosters…right here in our own communities! To help celebrate, two local fair trade stores will be hosting events along with myriads of other fair traders, organizations and people across the nation and the globe. To learn more about the international focus on Ecology, please visit the Fair Trade Resource Network.

The Portland Ten Thousand Villages store and Swahili-Imports are co-hosting a special World Fair Trade Day celebration in the Pearl District.

WHAT: World Fair Trade Day – Focus on Africa

Games, music, refreshments and education about the art and culture of Africa and the benefits of fair trade

WHEN: Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. & Sunday, May 11, noon to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Ten Thousand Villages, 914 NW Everett; Swahili, 128 NW 12^th, in Portland’s Pearl District

Pearl District stores celebrate Africa and fair trade, May 10 and 11

Portland – Two Pearl District retailers are teaming up to shine the spotlight on African art and culture – and the importance of fair trade to protect the environment and support emerging economies. Ten Thousand Villages and Swahili have planned a weekend of family activities – from a treasure hunt to the African board game Mancala, Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Ten Thousand Villages is located at 914 NW Everett. Swahili is at 128 NW 12^th.

On Saturday, from 6 to 7 p.m., Ten Thousand Villages will host a drumming circle. Participants are invited to bring their own drums or play those available at the store and learn the basics of African drumming.

In addition to providing refreshments, games and music, both stores will donate a portion of their sales that weekend to two Oregon-based nonprofits that support important programs in Africa: The Harambee Centre and the Makindu Children’s Program.

World Fair Trade Day is May 10. The stores, both dedicated to fair trade, want to help Oregonians understand how their shopping dollars can help protect the fragile environments of emerging countries while improving the lives of families across the globe. Fair trade favors hand production and organic agriculture, while providing living wages and enduring partnerships that help local economies thrive.

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade non-profit that carries crafts, house wares, jewelry, toys, instruments and other hand-made products from around the world. It also features fine Oriental carpets from Pakistan and furniture from Indonesia. It is located at 914 NW Everett.

Swahili is a leading fair trade importer of contemporary crafts from a variety of African countries. Its products include beautiful hand-woven textiles, jewelry, carvings, and products made of recycled glass and other materials. It is located at 128 NW 12^th.

For information about events at either store, call Ten Thousand Villages at (503) 231-8832 or Swahili at (503) 295-1225. For more information about World Fair Trade Day, visit wftday.org/.

admin @ April 22, 2008