|
HACKETTSTOWN--What in the World is a fair trade store located on Main Street, Hackettstown which unites the customer with many extraordinary master artists from all over the world, adding a new dimension to the town's business community.
Once inside, the customer gets to explore the fascinating handcrafted works of a variety of global products such as; wall hangings, pottery, jewelry, organic coffee, teas, organic chocolate, stationary, soap and skincare products from local artisans, from countries like Ghana, Kenya, Afghanistan, India, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, Thailand and other remote parts of the planet. "Each piece being unique with it's own story and a storyteller makes a visit to What in the World more upbeat, vibrant and enchanting," said spokesperson Vibha Rana.
History Of Fair Trade
Edna Ruth Byler, a volunteer for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), visited a sewing class in Puerto Rico where she noticed a talented woman who had a natural flair for creating lace. Edna brought pieces back to the United States to sell and returned the money directly. Edna's trips and her gratitude and respect for the artisans, grew into Ten Thousand Villages which opened in 1946 and is now the largest fair trade retailer in North America.
Humanitarian Journey Made One Couple's Dream Come True
In 2004, Al and Vicky Kopacka visited a Ten Thousand Villages store in New Haven, Conn. and decided that they would like to do something similar in the near future.
"Well, the time came and our shop What in the World opened the same year! Our hope and purpose is to provide and educate our customers with unique and quality products from around the world rather than focusing on massive profits, as most chain stores do," said Vicky. Al and Vicky have a tremendous passion for craftsmanship and being professional musicians themselves, they value, admire and respect the labor and time that is put into some of the items that are made across the globe and the United States.
They believe that exploitation of labor can never produce a genuine product. It can only be made with passion and care. The product must be sold with the same attitude and only fair trade can make this possible.
Since the year 2000, fair trade sales and consumer awareness have been increased, and so has the range of fair trade products. From its initial focus on coffee, fair trade product certification has expanded to tea, chocolate, sugar, vanilla, fruit, wine, and much more. In that year, the first World Fair Trade Day was celebrated to heighten awareness and to strengthen connections among fair traders and interested citizens around the globe. In 2006, the International Fair Trade Association reported that total fair trade sales topped $2.6 billion. Although recent economic recession has lowered the sales figures of What in the World, Al and Vicky have decided to continue their mission, and carry items imported by non-profit fair-trade organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages, Bridge for African Women's Bean Project, Slovak Folk Crafts, and Lucuma Designs of Peru.
Incense sticks (made by those who cannot speak, hear, or go anywhere except in their imagination ),are a part of the self-help movement called Silence which is based in Kolkata, India. It is dedicated to help individuals become self sufficient and become contributing members of society.
Unique metal drums made by the artists of Haiti are one example of today's ongoing unrest and a quest for honorable living through their hammer and chisel.
"We don't carry any item that is the result of exploitation, child labor, and massive profits. Our customers can be sure that their purchase fairly compensates individuals and families who produce these products, both here in the United States and all over the world. In many instances some of these communities are helped with infrastructure, marketing, health and child care, and other basic need services which are not readily available," said Vicky.
Al and Vicky continue to broadcast their views and values about local business and fair trade on WRNJ radio. In her recent Talk of the Town show broadcast on Feb.05, with David Rucki, Executive Director of the Hackettstown Business Improvement District, Vicky expressed her concerns about the overall economy, but also insisted that the Main Street and local economy can only be boosted when people begin to shop in their local communities. What in the World, being a fair trade shop, not only supports their local area, but also many economies and
communities around the globe.
"During my own visits to What in the World , I gathered some broken pieces of the puzzle that sometimes get caught in the reasoning wheel, such as What is Fair Trade? It became clear that it's not about charity or sympathy for the under privileged laborer or artist, it is rather a healthy approach that aims to change the ways in which commerce is conducted, and the consumer's way of thinking about spending for a unique gift at an affordable and fair price," said spokesperson Vibha Rana.
Fair Trade Organizations help create sustainable and positive economic change in developing as well as developed countries. The end turns out to be a happy and purposeful transaction for every hand that created, sold and purchased the item.
10 Solid Reasons to Support Fair Trade:
1. Fair Trade means high quality goods that people can use.
2. Fair Trade empowers women to bring their talent out as a means of living.
3. Fair Trade provides educational opportunity for underprivileged children especially girls.
4. Fair Trade means fair pay and safe working conditions.
5. Fair Trade connects with other cultures, thus promotes trade as a positive change.
6. Fair Trade builds sustainable local economies.
7. Fair Trade supports capacity building.
8. Fair Trade supports community development.
9. Fair Trade protects the environment.
10.Fair Trade gives you a choice and a voice.
What in the World is located on 229 Main Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (908) 850-8942
 Share on Facebook
|
|
