WorldCraftsSM develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.

Established in 1996, WorldCrafts began with just one artisan group, Thai Country Trim, in Bangkla, Thailand. Today we work with dozens of artisans groups to import and sell hundreds of fine, handcrafted items from more than 30 countries around the globe. And we still work with Thai Country Trim, helping them employ more and more women at risk of abuse and exploitation. That's who we are. Committed. Holistic. Fair trade.

We are committed to the in-country partners and artisan groups with whom we work. By investing in product development, maintaining certain levels of products orders, and encouraging sustainable production practices, we help create viable employment for women and men in poverty. Women no longer need to turn to prostitution for their next meal. Parents can provide education and nutrition to their children. Men can use their artisanal skills to earn a fair and reliable income without leaving their families.

"We are committed to our artisans for the long term," says Andrea Mullins, WorldCrafts director. "Our standards guarantee impoverished families hope for a better life."

We are holistic. Our artisan groups seek to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their workers. Men and women receive job training and enjoy comfort and camaraderie, friendship and purpose, perhaps for the first time. Women find a safe haven and receive counseling as they leave the sex industry. Individuals and families discover the abundant life and see that life lived out in front of them.

We are fair trade. WorldCrafts abides by and requires all partnering artisan groups to abide by Fair Trade Federation guidelines. Fair-trade buyers, such as WorldCrafts, ensure that artisans receive fair wages and that the goods purchased were produced in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner.

"The fact that WorldCrafts is a fair-trade company adds value to our products," Mullins says. "We encourage artisans to set prices that allow them to invest in the growth of their business. And we provide partial advance on payments to the artisans that allows them to hire more people and purchase the raw materials needed."

From August 2009 to August 2012, WorldCrafts will focus on the issue of human exploitation through the Set1Free campaign. This campaign actively empowers WorldCraftsSM buyers and aids artisans by highlighting those groups working to free women involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. To learn more about the Set1Free campaign, visit www.worldcraftsvillage.com/set1free.

WorldCrafts is a division of WMU®.