Ten Thousand Villages News

“There is nothing in the world like helping to put up the first wall in your own home,” said Jessi Graham, a volunteer with Ten Thousand Villages in Fort Collins, Colo. Graham was awarded a Habitat for Humanity house in 2007. Required to put in “sweat equity” hours, Graham worked with a variety of people willing to help make her home a reality. “I couldn’t count how many people helped build the house—hundreds probably,” she said.

And on April 18, 2008, Ten Thousand Villages became part of that story. John Merritt, Wendy White, Linda Conte and Piper Aune, three volunteers and one board member from the Fort Collins store, drove to the worksite in Denver to paint, caulk and hammer.

“John and Wendy are regular Habitat volunteers,” said Jane Snyder, volunteer coordinator at Ten Thousand Villages in Fort Collins. “When Wendy learned that Jessi was awarded a Habitat house, she suggested we organize a Ten Thousand Villages day of building. I had a conflict with my schedule, but my heart was there for sure.”

Graham’s home was nearing completion when the group arrived, but there was still plenty of work to be done. “The weather was typical Colorado,” said Merritt. “It was clear, sunny, a slight breeze … a gorgeous day. We got to whale away with hammers on a shed foundation, and we all had a good time doing everything asked of us. The smell of paint, lumber, sweat, fumes from generators—they all combined with the visual and aural to make a kaleidoscopic feast for the senses. If you can’t enjoy all that, and feel good about working hard and being a participant in a worthy cause, well, you just aren’t living, are you?”

“Habitat is a wonderful experience no matter who the home is for,” noted White. “But to actually have some other connection with the home owner made the experience all the more fulfilling and worthwhile.”

Graham began volunteering at Fort Collins in 2005 after hearing a college classmate give a speech on Ten Thousand Villages. “I went in one day to shop and fell in love,” Graham said. “I like the concept of it: ‘Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach him to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’”

“Jessi is amazing,” said Snyder. “She is animated, tireless and very funny. I love all her stories. In short, to know her is to love her.”

“Strange and wonderful things happen at our store every day,” Snyder continued. “Jessi had a similar experience: inadvertently she expanded her support system at a critical time in her life, and found a huge fan club here at Ten Thousand Villages in Fort Collins. Our interest in volunteers doesn’t begin and end with their time in the shop. We support them through the events of their lives.”

Graham moved into her three-bedroom home with her son and daughter on June 22, 2008. “I had never worked with these volunteers at the store [the volunteers work a variety of shifts], and the fact that they were willing to give up a day and help build my home is incredible. They are really great people with good hearts.”

Donna Stoltzfus
Visual Merchandising Assistant Designer

“A requirement for a buyer from Ten Thousand Villages,” said Susan Shu, buyer for South East Asia & West Africa, “is getting used to small airplanes.”

In March 2008, Shu took off to visit Cambodia and the Philippines. By the time she climbed down the steps of her last airplane on her way to Salay, a small town in the Philippines, she was quite ill.

“I was visiting our artisan group, Salay Handmade Papers, north of Mindanao Island. By the time I got there I was very sick. After a much-needed nap I took a sunset walk to the beach with Loreta, the founder of Salay, who was our artisan guest at National Workshops this year. On the beach I saw children playing with starfishes and sea urchins, teenagers preparing for their nightly karaoke session, and the elders quietly wading in the water to catch fish. The fresh crisp air held the scent of salt water mixed with wood burning in preparation for a barbeque. The sights, sounds and activity around us were incredibly touching—and I started to feel much better.”

This was Shu’s first visit to the Philippines, and though there was beauty to be found, she was struck by the glaring disparity between rich and poor.

“In Manila, 80 percent of people live in slums and under bridges,” said Shu. "Thousands of people living in the countryside came into the city looking for work, and for a better life. But there is simply not enough employment to go around. This combined with over-population contribute to the marginal situation for millions of Filipinos. As for the wealthy, there is a huge problem with nepotism. Jobs and wealth tend to stay within families."

Shu noted that other parts of Manila resemble Beverly Hills. “In one little area, Greenbelt, you see the wealthiest members of society driving luxury cars, eating dinners at five-star restaurants and shopping at high-end shops. Drive a few miles, and you are right in the slums where the majority of people live.”

Shu was also struck by the huge influence of American pop culture. “If you ask a teenager what they want to do with their lives, their answer is almost always, ‘Come to America.’”

Shu did hear a different perspective from an 18-year-old boy she met at an artisan’s home. As his mother rolled newspapers for a recycled newspaper vase Shu is hoping to order, Po Po shared that he was working toward his teaching degree because he’d like to inspire young children. “Like the 3.4 million others living in the slums of metro Manila, he lived in a place with his parents and four siblings no bigger than that of my living room and bedroom. But he had a sense of confidence and optimism,” said Shu.

Ten Thousand Villages purchases many natural fiber products from the Philippines. “In comparison to other Asian countries, the Philippines has a wealth of resources such as rattan, abaca and bamboo,” noted Shu. Competition for these natural resources is increasing, however, as China buys raw materials in bulk. It is becoming more difficult for handicraft producers to purchase what they need at affordable prices. Artisans are also coping with rising energy costs, the decreasing value of the U.S. dollar, and in the Philippines, a severe rice shortage.

“Other buyers are seeing price hikes as well,” said Shu. “For a variety of reasons, the cost of living keeps rising. But I’m often humbled by artisans’ sense of community, the family bonds and optimism that exist despite poverty and hardships.”

For Cambodia, Shu sees the challenge as finding a niche for the crafts produced. Her job involves meeting artisans, helping to select products and reviewing samples in development. “They need to find a competitive advantage against Thailand and Vietnam, where cost of material is generally lower. Artisans need to travel to neighboring countries just to buy raw materials for their crafts. We work at tweaking designs to make them more special."

Rehab Craft, an artisan group from which Ten Thousand Villages purchases in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, employs artisans with disabilities. “Many of the artisans were victims of polio and landmines,” said Shu. “Even the management staff is made up of people with disabilities. There is a sense of a "can-do" attitude and teamwork at every level.”

Though the country was devastated by war and the Pol Pot regime in the 1970s, there are signs of growth,” noted Shu. “There are some new buildings in the major cities and there is a huge surge in the number of tourists.” Cambodia opened its borders to tourists in 2000.

“I love being able to work in a creative capacity with artisans around the world, while learning about their art and culture,” said Shu. “It is exciting to see how selling the artisans’ work can transform a community and elevate them socially and economically.”

Donna Stoltzfus
Visual Merchandising Assistant Designer

Ten Thousand Villages U.S. is making it easier for North American consumers to buy fairly traded products by becoming one of the inaugural sellers on the newly created WorldofGood.com by eBay. This announcement comes on the heels of Ten Thousand Villages U.S. being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by the Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine.

“This is an exciting time for our organization as we grow and expand the presence of fair trade in the U.S. marketplace,” said Craig Schloneger, CEO of Ten Thousand Villages U.S. “As the oldest nonprofit fair trade retailer, we are proud to be one of the first organizations to participate in a new collaboration between eBay, Inc. and World of Good, Inc. that will empower consumers and improve access to the U.S. marketplace for artisans in developing countries.”

The new WorldofGood.com by eBay online marketplace convenes thousands of products that positively impact people and the planet all in one place, empowering consumers to shop in ways that align with their personal values.

WorldofGood.com by eBay will feature more than 250 Ten Thousand Villages products produced in over 37 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The site, which also serves as an online community with social networking features, launched on September 3.

“eBay Inc.’s drive to foster human connections through commerce is just one of the many reasons we as a company are proud to be a part of this new initiative,” Schloneger said. “Our shared goal of connecting the North American consumer with quality products that are sourced through ethical business practices made this an ideal opportunity for Ten Thousand Villages.”

For more information about WorldofGood.com by eBay, please contact Kristen Jenkins, Media Relations, at 717.859.8150

Ten Thousand Villages has partnered with Divine Chocolate to celebrate “One Scrumptious Chocolate Celebration” on Saturday, September 6: World Chocolate Day.
“Ten Thousand Villages and Divine Chocolate, both fair trade organizations, share a commitment to long-term trade relationships with farmers and artisans, including marketing their quality products to U.S. customers,” said Lisa Stratton, marketing director for Ten Thousand Villages.

Ten Thousand Villages stores across the country are celebrating the global celebration of chocolate by offering a free Divine Chocolate gift with purchase during the month of September, while supplies last. Many stores will host chocolate-inspired events including ‘One Divine Chocolate Challenge,’ testing chocolate knowledge and expertise with a sweet ending for contestants. Or join us for an evening of ‘One Fun-tastic Fondue,’ sure to be a tasty and fragrant event. And for a limited time, Ten Thousand Villages customers will have the opportunity to try the newest Divine Chocolate creation, Crunchy Milk Chocolate.

Divine Chocolate is a pioneering fair trade chocolate company, owned in part by the 45,000-member strong farmers’ cooperative of Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana. Since 1998, Divine has delighted chocolate lovers with quality chocolate made from the ‘best of the best’ 100 percent fair trade cocoa—or as Kuapa Kokoo farmers call it: pa pa paa in the Ghanaian language of Twi.

“This is truly a ‘divine’ partnership inspired by the mission of fair trade,” said Niki Lagos, regional sales manager, Divine Chocolate, Inc. “Together we hope to empower and educate consumers about the impact their buying decisions have on farmers and artisans in developing countries around the world.”

Divine Chocolate can be purchased at Ten Thousand Villages store locations nationwide. For more information about Divine Chocolate, visit www.divinechocolateusa.com.

Rehab Craft Cambodia focuses on some of the most disadvantaged in Cambodian society—people who have been disabled by land mine injuries or debilitating and untreated illness.

“My name is Thik Hong and I am 29 years old. I live in a rented house together with my wife, 1-year-old daughter and other family members in the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When I was 2 or 3 years old, I had polio very badly in my right leg. I have had a disability ever since that time.

“After I finished 12 years of school, it was hard to find a job. Then I got a job for two years at a handicraft shop, but I didn’t earn very much money. Working as a producer at Rehab Craft Cambodia [RCC] for the past year has been good. Rehab Craft is different, because all the staff have disabilities and we understand each other.

“I’m glad that Ten Thousand Villages orders many products from us so that the workshop stays very busy and I can save some money. Someday, I hope to buy a little house for my family.”

There are not many opportunities for Cambodians such as Thik Hong, who live with disabilities, to find work or to learn skills to support themselves. Rehab Craft Cambodia provides a lifeline, however, training people with disabilities in handicraft production, and providing career opportunities within the organization. Rehab Craft is a nonprofit, local nongovernmental organization that has been operating for 13 years. RCC was originally funded by a New Zealand organization, but has been financially sustainable and independent for the past seven years. Everyone who works at RCC has some form of physical disability, from the guard at the gate to the team leaders of the organization.

Recent research shows that approximately 4 percent of Cambodians are disabled ("The disabled still lack employment opportunities," p. 8. Development Weekly, 18-24 December, 2006), which is one of the highest rates of disabilities in the world. Some of these disabilities are the results of land mines and unexploded ordinance left over from more than two decades of war. There are also many people affected by polio, or who have limbs amputated due to untreated diabetes.

Rehab Craft runs a training program for people with disabilities to learn various crafts, including producing handicrafts from silver, silk, stone and wood. Some of these artisans continue to be employed by the organization, while others set up independent production in the provinces. RCC purchases and markets many of their products in their showrooms in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Management positions are generally filled from within the organization, so those with management potential have the possibility of working their way up in the organization.

Rehab Craft has been exporting products to Ten Thousand Villages since 2006. With continued sales to a variety of fair trade organizations like Ten Thousand Villages, Rehab Craft Cambodia should be in a good position to continue and expand its work creating opportunities and improving quality of life of Cambodians with disabilities in the future.

Carrie Martin
Mennonite Central Committee Cambodia Handicraft Designer/Business Advisor


Thik Hong is an artisan with Rehab Craft Cambodia, producing unique bags made from recycled fish feed bags.

Ten Thousand Villages has established a new trading partnership in India—with Aravali, an artisan group producing textiles based in Jaipur, India.

Ten Thousand Villages has established a new trading partnership in India—with Aravali, an artisan group producing textiles based in Jaipur, India.

Ten Thousand Villages has established a new trading partnership in India—with Aravali, an artisan group producing textiles based in Jaipur, India. The first product from Aravali, a shoulder bag stitched with “gudri” embroidery, appears in stores this month (6846040).

Aravali began in 1976 as a small clothing boutique. In the early 1980s its focus shifted away from fashion and toward home decor. Manager Rahul Duggal sees their greatest strength as their commitment to forming long-term relationships; they have been working with many of the same workshops for 10 years or longer. Their target wages are slightly higher than the local market.

Most of the artisans with whom Aravali works are men working in blockprinting workshops in and around Jaipur. “The workshops are within a relatively close geographical range, which allows Aravali to maintain close contact with the artisans, despite their small administrative staff,” pointed out Renee Bowers, buyer for India. Aravali also works women in Rajasthan, such as those producing the embroidered bag recently introduced by Ten Thousand Villages.

“Duggal describes the initial process of working with new artisan groups as grueling,” said Bowers, “as he gently guides them towards higher quality standards and educates them on fair trade principles. Many artisans make the decision to go find work elsewhere, where quality standards are not as exacting. However, those who can look to the long term are rewarded, as Aravali makes a true effort to provide them with year-round work that is long-term and sustainable.”


Giriraj is an artisan in a workshop near Jaipur producing blockprint fabrics for Aravali. Blockprinting has been an art in Giriraj’s family for generations—one that they have sought to preserve in the face of increasing machine production of textiles.

Craig Schloneger (center), chief executive officer of Ten Thousand Villages U.S., is presented an official proclamation by Alex F. Brigham, executive director of The Ethisphere Institute (left), and Stephen R. Martin, editor-in-chief, Ethisphere Magazine, officially bestowing the title of “World’s Most Ethical Company” to Ten Thousand Villages U.S.

Ten Thousand Villages Named One of “World’s Most Ethical Companies”
Fair trade retailer among distinguished list announced by
Forbes and The Ethisphere Institute

(AKRON, Pa) – World fair trade leader Ten Thousand Villages has been recognized as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine. Recipients of the internationally acclaimed award were revealed this week during an awards ceremony sponsored by The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine in New York City.

“This is truly an amazing distinction bestowed on Ten Thousand Villages, and we are honored to be recognized among this class of elite companies,” said Ten Thousand Villages Chief Executive Officer, Craig Schloneger. “As a nonprofit retail operation we strive to be fair trade leaders, coupling our mission with sustainable economic and environmental practices. I am proud of Ten Thousand Villages and our team’s commitment to fair trade and to serving the needs of both the artisans who supply our products, and the customers who purchase them.”

Researchers and analysts with The Ethisphere Institute reviewed more than 10,000 of the world’s leading companies on six continents including a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. Among Ten Thousand Villages’ peers recognized in the class of retail operations were IKEA, Stoneyfield Farm, Target, Kellogg Company, Google and Trader Joe’s.

Schloneger was among four business leaders who spoke at the event, and offered the following challenge to fellow members of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” class of 2008: “I want to be so bold as to challenge this distinguished group of businesses to continue to promote ethics in the marketplace, and to treat people fairly from the beginning of the supply chain to the very end of the market chain,” Schloneger expressed. “We are called to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly for we have a big responsibility and a tremendous opportunity … to motivate our customers with our business ethics, to empower our suppliers on a daily basis and to make a positive impact on the world in which we live.”

“We applaud the positive work and mission of Ten Thousand Villages,” said Alexander Brigham, executive director of The Ethisphere Institute. “Ten Thousand Villages is among the companies honored this year because they have developed impressive and meaningful ethical business practices, making them true standouts within their industry. By their actions, they are forcing their competitors to follow suit, or fall behind—they truly embody the notion that ethical business practices are more profitable in the long run.”

The Ethisphere Institute and its associated membership group is dedicated to the research, creation and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance and corporate governance among companies. Members of the 2008 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” will be published in the globally-recognized annual World Most Ethical Companies RankingTM, as well as the Government Contractor Ethics Program RankingTM and the upcoming Global Anti-Corruption Quotient. Additionally, Ten Thousand Villages and other members of the carefully researched and selected listing will be featured in an upcoming issue of Forbes and in the Q2 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

For more than 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages has been establishing long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income. The commitment to support artisans around the globe is strengthened through fair trade compensation practices including cash advances and prompt payments. As the company continues to grow, Ten Thousand Villages has become increasingly conscious of the need to marry the concept of fair trade with healthy and environmentally sustainable business practices. From store operations to product sourcing to marketing practices, Ten Thousand Villages strives to meet the “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Founded in 1946, the company has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler's car to a network of more than 150 retail outlets throughout the United States.

Ten Thousand Villages is an exceptional source for unique, handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor and personal accessories made by artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world's largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 36 countries. Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of Mennonite Central Committee.

Additional high-resolution photos available upon request by contacting Kristen Jenkins, Media Relations for Ten Thousand Villages U.S., at Kristen.Jenkins@tenthousandvillages.com.

For more information, contact:
Kristen Jenkins, Media Relations
704 Main Street
P.O. Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500
717.859.8150