(via THANKYOUGANDA.COM)
I don’t know how old I was, but there came a point in my life when I began to realize that the clothes I wear, the products I use, and the technology that I work with on a day-to-day basis does not magically appear at the local mall. First of all it is shipped there. In order for it to be shipped, it must be created. And for it to be created, means that someone (an actual individual) worked to make it. Seriously, think about that for a second.
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I wish I could say I realized this fact a long time ago, but that’s simply not the case. I also can’t say that I have intensely altered my purchasing decisions to incorporate the complete knowledge of what it takes to produce a $5 t-shirt. However, what I can say is that I am more aware of the things I decide to put my money toward and I am trying to be more conscious. “Budgetary issues” and lack of ample options definitely drive the purchasing tendencies of us fashionistas and forward thinkers :), I understand. I’m just asking you to think about it. Question…
But before you start to look at all the cool stuff you have around you and begin to fear that you can never own cool things without a guilty conscious I must offer you some hope. I am learning (and involving myself) in a growing contingency of people who want to see the pendulum swing on such issues. Why can’t you have sweet clothes that you enjoy wearing, that are made in an ethical manner, and that truly serve as empowerment for their creator?
A new project my organization (Krochet Kids international) has ventured into is called ‘Thank (YOU)ganda’. The goal of this new campaign is to connect communities – to connect consumers with producers – in an effort to get people’s wheels turning about the impact their purchases can have, for the positive or negative.
In an effort to further create a relationship between their customers and the war-affected populations they work with in Uganda, Krochet Kids international has launched a new campaign titled ‘Thank (YOU)ganda’. Since every accessory comes hand-signed by its maker, KKi has launched a new website that allows its customers to submit a video, a photo, or a note thanking the lady for their product.
Krochet Kids intl. does not stand alone in this thinking. In an increasing fashion there are people joining this movement and rethinking how business can be used to change the world. Other companies you should be aware of… Apolis Activism, Hello Rewind, MEND & 31 bits
Awesome update. Need to catch up, just got back from my asia trip.