Craft products the sign of hope for third world communities

Posted on 18 mar 2008

Rex Edward is a trader that had the opportunity to accompany in a trip some Fair Trade partner buyers and representatives from the US, UK and other European countries. They visited rural crafts communities in remote areas in Pangasinan, Philippines, Abra, Bicol and Leyte.

Edward was surprised when saw how the lives of many women and men producers from third world communities have improved by engaging in crafts production as their major trade and livelihood. They have not only achieved better financial stability for their families and communities but also other seemingly insignificant non-monetary gains.

Rex Edward added that the most interesting part was to see how well the conditions of the crafts communities in the Philippines were. Anita L. Roddick named these conditions as "the bounce of economic performance".

For example in Mindoro, the seventh biggest island in the Philippines with over 1 million inhabitants with close to 10% belonging to the indigenous peoples called Mangyan, crafts represent the products of their way of life and an extension of their customs and traditions.

Mangyan is the generic name for the seven indigenous tribes namely: Hanunuo, Alangan, Tadyawan, Buhid, Iraya, Bangon and Tau-Buhid, each with own culture, language and customs. In these tribes baskets, embroidery, and beaded products have always been produced using materials from their areas.

Philippines handicraft industry can be an example for many states that have lost their interest in craft products.

The benefit of the "trading partnership" is hard to measure despite the difficulty of attempting to walk together in a long dusty if not muddy crossroads and pathways. These relations transpire beyond trading, since trading is only a way, an entry point if not a vehicle towards integral development for all of them committed to crafts development.

Only those who have given precious time despite the need for personal, social and family bonding and necessary ties will ever internalize affectively the depth and meaning of the journey that is trading crafts.