Whether making tote bags out of recycled telephone books or jewelry boxes out of dried fruit, there were many hands involved in this year's Oxfam Holiday Gift Market.
On Dec. 1, Oxfam America at NYU and its co-sponsor, NYC Fair Trade Coalition, hosted their third annual Holiday Gift Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church. Ten Fair Trade vendors came together to sell handcrafted items from all over the globe. The support from clubs such as STAND, Amnesty International, F4NK, Humanus, ActionCourage and Child (Not) Soldier demonstrates NYU's growing commitment and involvement in the fair trade movement.
"We're trying to influence people's thought process [and] make them realize that the choices they make have an effect on the international community," said Molly Heyman, a School of Social Work junior and president of Oxfam America at NYU. "We're using the holiday season, with its emphasis on shopping, and the underlying current of generosity to inspire people to rethink their consumption choices."
The items for sale ranged from pottery made by unemployed young men in Thailand to wallets from Madagascar embroidered with country scenes. Steel-wire star earrings still bore signs of its makers' finishing touches. Bright blue, orange and red alpaca shawls from Peru lay in a pile on top of hand-woven batik tablecloths. Berries that Colombian women found on the rainforest floor were crafted into bracelets. Intricately designed Bolivian jewelry boxes were made entirely from dried orange peels, and when opened, gave off a subtle, exotic aroma.
The fair trade movement has a definite impact on the lives of the individuals who create these items. The vendor organizations at the market negotiate directly with the producers, usually men and women with limited options who are taught these specific trade skills from scratch.
"Perhaps they've just gotten out of bad relationships, or had no other source of income," said Allan Thayer, a Handcrafting Justice vendor representative. "This way, instead of working in a sweatshop in the cities, they can stay in their own hometown and take care of their kids."
Once they learn the trade, they can live in their villages and make their own living from their products. The project thus provides a long-term income for the community. As of now, Handcrafting Justice coordinates 26 projects in 18 countries.
Cebra, another vendor at the market, imports goods from Madagascar and Kenya. According to representative Laurel Brandstetter, their products are designed collaboratively with actual fashion designers and have been featured in fashion magazines. The money raised through Cebra's initiative will support community initiatives, such as building wells in the regions where the products are produced.
The vendor Global Goods was staffed by NYU students in the newly formed club Child (Not) Soldier. Club president and NYU junior YangYang Zhou, who is also the secretary of Oxfam NYU, said that fair trade helps provide a "livable wage" for women.
Wagner graduate student Kata Amanna was the representative from Caedmun, an organization that sells products made by women in Puno. Amanna lived in Peru and had the opportunity to meet the founders of Caedmun; without Caedmun's help, she said, the women can't support themselves because they can only sell their products for less than what it cost to make them. Currently, Caedmun is trying to construct a Center for Women and Children that would "provide support and shelter for victims of domestic violence, a permanent space for workshops and events as well as a meeting place for the youth group," Amanna said.
All of the items at the fair have unique backgrounds. Many come with small cards or tags explaining their stories and places of origin. Visitors to the market will learn and appreciate the wealth of interesting stories the vendors themselves have to tell.
"This is a solution-based movement," said CAS senior Amanda White, who is also an Oxfam NYU member. "And we should have a lot of celebrations about that fact - Holiday Market is the perfect way. ... It's a great opportunity for students - they have a tangible way to make a difference in people's lives."
Check out the upcoming holiday markets: Dec. 6, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. at Heights Alumni Lounge in the Waverly Building; and Dec. 10, from 12 to 5 p.m. on the seventh floor of the Kimmel Center. Also, look out for Frosty the Fair Trade Snowman, who will be roaming around Washington Square Park.
"If you see Frosty, make sure to give him a hug and ask him about fair trade!" White said.
Carol Kuruvilla is a staff writer. E-mail her at features@nyunews.com.
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