Wednesday, September 11, 2013

A New Project: Helping Tsunami Survivors Heal

This week, One World Market started an exciting new partnership with The Village Experience, a venture that not only works with artisans, but actually invests in the artisans and their future.

In Thailand, The Village Experience is working with survivors of the 2004 Tsunami, helping them rebuild their lives after losing everything. They are supporting an orphanage of 75+ child survivors of the 2004 Tsunami, and employing adult artisans affected by the tsunami as well. One of those artisans is:

Nong.

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Nong not only lost her home in 2004, she lost seven family members.

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She lost her husband.

Her son.

Her daughter.

Her older brother. Her younger sister. Her niece. Her nephew.

So much loss in the matter of an instant. Here at One World Market, we were particularly touched by Nong’s story. How could you even begin to pick up the pieces after so much tragedy?

But Nong is a survivor. With help from The Village Experience, she began to rebuild. Through Fair Trade, she was given a job that pays her a fair wage and provides her with safe working conditions. It has given her a job with dignity, working with others who care about her and her well-being.

She was given an opportunity to heal, and through Fair Trade, Nong has found tasks that truly help her through her day.

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In Nong’s words: “ I no longer feel dazed. When I’m sewing…it makes me focus. It feels calming…relaxing…making something small.”

And what she makes…

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is simply stunning!

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Incredibly well-made gorgeous handbags, messenger bags, and totes. Detailed in leather, we are absolutely IN LOVE with this new line of bags!

But even more, we are thankful for the opportunity to provide Nong with work, giving her a chance to be calm. To relax. To focus on creating beautiful crafts.

Stop by today to see this new line in person!  We know you’ll love it as much as we do!

One World Market

811 Ninth Street Durham, NC www.oneworldmarket.info

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