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Craftworks Cambodia
Meet the Artisans of Craftworks Cambodia
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Living in an underprivileged community approximately 30 minutes from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, artisans make jewelry from recycled bomb shells and bullets. These artisans use bomb casings left over from Cambodia's wartime three decades ago and skillfully mold the bombshells into beautiful jewelry pieces. With the support of Craftworks Cambodia, the artisans generate an income that will provide their families and their communities the chance at a better future. Through Craftworks Cambodia, the artisans make a fair wage for their work and receive support for education and training in the communities in Cambodia. Craftworks Cambodia maintains, and practices, a strong commitment to environmental awareness with many of the products being made from recycled and sustainable materials.
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About Craftworks Cambodia
Source: http://www.craftworkscambodia.com/about-us.html
Cambodia and Cambodians have suffered for decades as a result of war. It is still recovering from the atrocities of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970’s . About a third of Cambodia’s population lives below the national poverty level as a result of this turmoil. Craftworks Cambodia was established to provide market access for Cambodian artisans.The sale of these goods will help keep families together with food on their table. A liveable and reliable income is especially important for women as it allows them to raise healthy babies and children and provide for their future. These Cambodian craft items are skillfully made, beautiful and clever. The materials used vary with silk being the most common material, it is spun and woven in the villages, and made into superb golden organic cocoon silk scarves and pure soft silk scarves, shawls, purses and other accessories. Also popular are the Eco-friendly items. Recycled paper and recycled brass bomb casings are used for jewellery and stationery and even discarded rice bags are recycled into wallets and bags.
There are six jewelry artisans, living in an underprivileged community approximately 30 minutes from Phnom Penh, Cambodia who make pure silver, recycled bomb shell and bullet jewelry. These artisans have been trained by a professional in their skill. Bomb casings are left over from Cambodia's wartime three decades ago. These artisans skillfully mold bomb shells into beautiful jewellery pieces, providing a small income to underprivileged communities.
With the support of groups such as Craftworks Cambodia, the artisans are hoping that the sales of these jewelry products and eco-bags, wallets, and more will generate an income that will provide their families and their communities the chance at a better future. This project (Craftworks Cambodia) ensures that the artisans are fairly rewarded for their work and provide support for education and training in the communities in Cambodia
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Fair Trade Matters!
At Yoga Geek we feel that the principles of Fair Trade mirror the finest principles of the various Yoga and Meditation traditions and practices that we respect. Fair Trade is a global movement that began in the 40’s and exists now as various parallel initiatives throughout the world. Driven by the efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and socially motivated individuals, Fair Trade began by providing advice, assistance and support to disadvantaged producers. Fair Trade has come to be a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers.
In keeping with the spirit of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, here are eight reasons we feel so strongly about, and are happy to be offering, Fair Trade products to our Yoga and Meditation communities:
- Fair Trade products are made in safe and healthy working conditions, where artisans receive a fair price and have a voice in how their workplace is run.
- Fair Trade embraces practices that minimize our environmental footprint.
- Artisans take pride in their work. Crafts are handmade, which translates into closer attention to detail and in the end higher-quality products
- By working through cooperative structures, Fair Trade artisans are able to invest Fair Trade earnings in their communities, improving housing, healthcare, and schools.
- Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.
- Fair Trade gives farmers and artisans control of their own future. They can build their own businesses, rather than working for a middleman, and the profits stay in their communities and go back into their businesses.
- By choosing Fair Trade products, you are not only accessing high quality products, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow the food you eat and/or the goods you use.
- Fair Trade prohibits child labor, ensures health and safety measures are established in order to avoid work-related injuries and follows International Labor Conventions (ILO). Workers are guaranteed access to healthcare and community development premiums can be used to provide greater access to /quality of healthcare and education.
