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Since its inception in 1997, Carvings International has taken an active role in applying Fair Trade principles. Instead of buying from distributors, they work directly with a dozen families living in the West Bank that carve olive wood. The carvers, who work from their houses in Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour in occupied Palestine, have suffered dramatically since the Israeli military siege on Palestinian villages began in the fall of 2000.
Even though Fair Trade has meant a higher standard of living for these families, their overall income has dropped by 85% since the Palestinian Intifada began. As part of the collective punishment policies of the Israeli military on Palestinian civilians, more than 11,000 olive trees have been uprooted and destroyed, the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers. The olive tree and the prickly pear cactus have traditionally symbolized the spirit of the Palestinian people and their connection to their homeland, a connection that has remained strong, despite occupation and long years of exile and displacement. The livelihood and economy of Carvings International craftspeople depends on the sale of the works they produce. Carvings International is dedicated to ensuring that olivewood carvers of the West Bank do not slip into poverty simply because they cannot sell their crafts.
The skill of carving olivewood has been passed down for many generations. Carvings International welcomes any of the carvers' designs and is constantly encouraging the carvers to reach new heights by providing them with new designs to produce. Although it is customary for many producers to offer samples at no charge, Carvings International never accepts any samples without paying for them. This is CI's way of strengthening the relationship with the carvers and ensuring that they are always compensated for their work.
Olivewood carvings have been produced for millennia along the shores of the Mediterranean. The branches of olive trees have been the symbol of peace for thousands of years and even monks have carved spoons and bowls from olive wood, both to use and to sell. All carvings made of this hard wood have a varying and smooth grain, making every piece extraordinarily unique. It is very difficult to match the grain of two pieces since the pattern is completely hidden in the heart of the wood. Mediterranean olivewood is heavy, dense, and durable with a distinctive red pigment in its grain. These olivewood carvings come only from the trimmings of olive trees, which is an essential process for the healthy and proper growth of the trees, promoting environmental sustainability. The olivewood is then dried and cured before it is used for carving.
The Palestine Children's Welfare Fund is an enterprise that was established by a group of individuals whose goal is to improve the living standards of the children of Palestine who reside in the refugee camps inside Palestine. The group aims to provide the children of the refugee camps with better educational opportunities, health facilities, and a bright future without violence, hatred, or discrimination. The organization has branches and volunteers in more than ten countries and is not connected with any militant or political association of any kind. PCWF works throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States and operates its financial and social work from Palestine to ensure that our work is based in the place where it is needed the most in order to effectively reach the children of Palestine.
The group works in close coordination with the Union of Health Workers Committees in Gaza, an organization that operates Alawda hospital (the largest hospital in Gaza) and several other clinics throughout the occupied territories of Palestine. They also work with various civic and social societies in Gaza and other Palestinian cities to locate and provide sponsors for needy children in the refugee camps of the West Bank and Gaza. The goal is to provide the children with basic needs such as food, clothing, educational tools, and health care regardless of religious affiliation.
The group is a non-political, non-religious enterprise whose aspirations are purely humanitarian and for the purpose of emancipating the children of Palestine. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sales go to the children and to the Union of Health Workers Committees in Gaza and other children that they sponsor throughout Palestine.
Email Palestine Children's Welfare Fund for more information about their work.
Sunbula is an East Jerusalem-based nonprofit organization committed to supporting Palestinian women's craft cooperatives throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Sunbula provides technical assistance, capacity-building and assistance with product marketing and sales. The Global Exchange Online Store features products from three different Sunbula-supported projects located throughout the West Bank.
The Haneen Project grew from a Sunbula training program in the Balata refugee camp. Balata is the largest of the 19 Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied West Bank. The camp's 22,000 inhabitants suffer from overcrowding, endemic poverty and daily conflict-related violence. The Haneen Project grew in response to the women of Balata struggling to meet the basic needs of families.
The Idna Ladies' Association is located in the remote town of Idna, in the West Bank. The construction of the Separation Wall between Israel and the West Bank, in 2005, has led to devastating unemployment. The Wall's trajectory runs through Idna, isolating the most fertile parts of the village's agricultural area and underground water. The Idna Ladies' Association provides vital income to its 45 members; very often these women generate the only source of income for the household.
Aseela Women's Cooperative was established in Bethlehem by a group of women who came together to address income-generation needs of families in refugee camps and rural villages. Aseela strives to produce top quality olive oil products that are distinctly Palestinian, artfully packaged and exquisitely crafted.
Check out our Sunbula product selection.
The Amber Chand Collection promotes the idea of "Global Gifts for Peace and Understanding". Amber Chand's mission is to make a difference in the world through spreading the beauty of candles and artisan jewelry. By showcasing the works of refugee craftswomen, Chand believes she can give them a chance to improve their lives through dignified labor. A Ugandan Refugee herself, Chand believes that by focusing on regions in conflict, she can promote cooperation and build pathways to peace.
Check out our The Amber Chand Collection product selection.
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