Howard Dean speaks at Barbara's Bookstore

For most people in the world, health care just isn't an option. That's the case in the United States, too, one of the richest countries in the world.

This blog post isn't about whether I'm a Democrat or a Republican, but I am interested in learning as much as possible about the health care plan President Obama and his administration is proposing.

Howard Dean, a former presidential hopeful and a 6-term governor for the state of Vermont, is going to be speaking on his prescription for real health care reform on August 5th at Barbara's Bookstore (1218 S. Halsted, near the UIC campus; 5:30 p.m.).

We all have the power to make a difference. We may not have health care for everyone in the U.S., but we can make our voices heard. Hear everyone's take on this issue, Democrats, Republicans, Independents...and make your own decision in the end.

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Countdown to South Africa

In one week, I'll be boarding a plan to travel more 24 hours to visit the other side of the world - on so many levels. My destination is South Africa and while it seems like a million miles away, I also feel like we live in a small world. Just as in my hometown of Chicago, women live in poverty in South Africa. Just like mothers in Chicago, mothers in South Africa want to raise their children in the best possible way. To allow the to go to school. To eat healthy food. To have shelter.

But for many in South Africa, that isn't possible. Which is why fair trade is so important to them. By having employment opportunities, they can make decisions that are good for them and their families.

I'm in the process of finalizing my plans on what to see and do while I'm there and look forward to sharing their stories with you!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Coming from India - Fair Trade AND Eco-Friendly Jewelry

I was speaking with a friend of mine who is a reporter recently and she mentioned to me how many companies are touting their "green"ness (either they are using recycled materials, repurposing items, etc). What she also realized, however, is that being green isn't just about recycling something...it's about being good to the people as much as it is being good to the Earth.

Yes, most of the items we offer on www.World-Shoppe.com come from overseas. So, while they are fairly traded, they are made by the hands of those living in developing countries like India, South Africa, Indonesia and Ghana. Most are women.

So is being fair trade good for the Earth since most of the items have to travel so far to come to the U.S.? It's a fair question (no pun intended) but here is my answer - a RESOUNDING YES. Maybe the products do have to travel to get here, but by offering employment opportunities to women who may otherwise have none, we are empowering them to make a difference in lives of their families and communities. They can give back and build health clinics and schools. They can practice safe working conditions and teach others why it's important not to work in sweatshop conditions or employ children to make products. They can recycle products to make new items (like this swanky BOTTLE NECK Necklace above handmade using old glass bottles as the pendant - coming next month from India!).

So, yes, fair trade products may come farther away than products made locally but the opportunities are immense. Does the end justify the means? I'm not sure what fair trade means to you, but for me, being able to give a voice to someone can mean the world to them...and that's the kind of world I want to live in.

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

South Africa - when you work with women, you get things done

I'm anxiously getting ready for my trip to South Africa in exactly two weeks. I'm trying to pre-plan as much as possible since I know I'll be busy from the minute I get off the airplane to the time I get back on. I already have plans to meet with some fair trade artisans with wonderful gifts, jewelry and home accessories - many of whom are women leading coops! In fact, the gentleman helping me with my trip commented that most of the groups we're meeting with are led by women because, in his words, when you work with women, they get things done. I love that quote...

I met with some folks this morning who were very helpful as I try to navigate cell phones (figured I would rent one there since I won't know if mine will work), laptops (do I take mine or use one there?), converters, dollars vs. rands (the currency of South Africa - see image to the right), how much to tip (yes, tipping is accepted and appreciated), etc. In addition to meeting with artisans throughout my trip, I also want to take in the culture of South Africa - everything from seeing the homes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, to the amazing animals.

Have you been to South Africa? Any advice? I've been to many countries outside of the U.S. but never to South Africa so any thoughts or recommendations would be much appreciated!

As I near my flight date, I'll be sure to post some stories and I hope you'll share some of yours with me, too!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Fighting Monkeys and Fair Trade Jewelry

At www.World-Shoppe.com, we try to unearth some wonderful handmade and fairly traded treasures. When we received a batch of jewelry from artisans in Kenya recently, we were thrilled because the necklace was one of our best sellers.

We were fortunate enough to get another shipment of these gorgeous necklaces as well as a matching bracelet! As I put on our Web site product description, if you were even thinking about purchasing this necklace (and matching stretch bracelet) for either yourself or as a gift, I recommend you act quickly because the artisan group is discontinuing these pieces.

So why does our subject line reference fighting monkeys? Well, the 12 inch choker features 8 strands of Ndlongwe seeds – yes, seeds. The tree from which Ndlongwe seeds are harvested is found in the dry lands of the eastern part of Kenya, a place known as Kitui. It is a very rare tree, so rare that the number can be counted. Once the fruits are ripe, local women collect them and remove the skin and the seed. The seeds are left to dry and then strung on a piece of thread and sold to willing buyers. As there is very little economic activity in this part of Kenya, the income generated is used to buy food and other basic human needs by the women engaged in this kind of business.

The biggest setback here is that the tree bears fruit only once every year, usually between June and August. Monkeys also are partial to the fruit (can you imagine fighting a monkey to get your raw goods?). The string used in this necklace is also eco-friendly as it is recycled from old motor vehicle tires. The small rings are from 18 gauge brass wire which artisans make at the Jacaranda Workshop. They also make the brass tube and spiral (which can expand to make the necklace a little longer) at the end of the necklace. A knot is made before and after each seed with a ring on either side.

So, if you're partial to fair trade jewelry that is also a conversation piece, look no further - this necklace and bracelet were made with you in mind! But, act quickly because once they are gone, they are truly gone!

Handmade by our artisan partners in Kenya, you can find the necklace here: http://www.world-shoppe.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=mas_nck29&type=store and the matching bracelet here: http://www.world-shoppe.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=mas_wjb03&type=store.

Thanks for letting us share this fair trade story with you!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com