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UN Millenium Development Goals Review in Sept 2010

[Canmore AB 06-23-10] In September of 2000, the United Nations addressed the issue of global poverty by adopting the Millennium Declaration. The declaration pledged the members to accomplish measurable goals to eradicate global poverty by the year 2015. The Millennium Development Goals focus on eight areas of concern, including poverty and hunger, universal education, maternal health, an

Encounter Earth Community

Below is a growing community of people from all over the world. In the encounter earth community there is no degree of separation between workers, artisans, shoppers, retailers, etc… all are equal and walking together on this journey.

We invite you to register and complete the form (including uploading a pic of you wearing your new fairly made clothing or just as you are.) In registering you will also receive news from time to time regarding the ongoing exciting developments at encounter earth. We look forward to seeing you online!

LAFISSA MAMMAN, Shea butter supervisor, Togo, West Africa
Lafissa Mamman is a skilled story teller and one of the oldest members of the shea butter production cooperative that we work with. She is the supervisor for the crystallization process, which is one of the most critical steps in making unrefined shea butter so creamy. Lafissa has made and sold shea butter in local markets for over 40 years and is a genuine shea butter expert. By providing a market for shea butter in North America, your purchases help Lafissa and her colleagues develop financial independence and secure livelihoods, while supporting and developing the strength of their community.

Om Soun OM SOUN, Purchasing agent, Cambodia
Om Soun is the purchasing agent for a social enterprise in Cambodia, working with designers and seamstresses to produce the unique handbags and accessories that you see in our store. Om Soun herself is a single mother with three children, and her work with the social enterprise allows her to support her family while also helping other vulnerable young women to develop secure, dignified livelihoods.

Chelsea Wills CHELSEA BAY WILLS, Designer, Traveler, Michigan
Chelsea lives on the wooded campus of a renovated state mental hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. She grew up with a desire to become a graphic designer for good for the world companies- and her dream came true! She not only designs for environmentally and socially responsible companies- she loves to support companies like Encounter Earth, and put their awesome Fair Trade bags to use traveling all over the world from East Timor to Chiapas, Mexico.

SUNITA KADGI, Knitter, Nepal
Through her work producing the high-quality artisanal knitwear we carry at Encounter Earth, Sunita Kadgi has been able to send her daughter, Sugita to school – an opportunity that Sunita herself never enjoyed. Sunita’s efforts were supported by our partners’ program to provide assistance to producers to keep their daughters in school. As a sure sign of the benefits of women in education, her daughter now wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

SOM RATHA, Seamstress, Cambodia
Som Ratha escaped a history of domestic abuse to train as a seamstress in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, earning the highest grade in her class. She now earns a living creating beautiful accessories for women that we sell at Encounter Earth. Som Ratha is using her income to put her younger brother through school, while also looking after her mother and grandmother.

Ana ANA, Weaver, Guatemala
Ana supports her family through her work leading a women’s cooperative in her village in Guatemala. Ana and her colleagues dye, spin, and weave fabrics by hand using sustainable, natural methods. The fabrics are used to create “adventure ready” bags and other accessories that are achieving a big following here in North America.

Dil Bahadur Chani DIL BAHDUR CHANI, Jeweler and Teacher, Kathmandu
Dil started a 2 year apprenticeship with a traditional jeweler in 1990. After the apprenticeship he started working on his own. Now Dil Bahadur is a master jeweler intent on teaching the next generation of jewelry apprentices from his village. Dil Bahadur brings boys, 15 and older, from his village to Kathmandu and teaches them a valuable income producing skill while at the same time sending them to school to complete their education. Jewelry making offers these boys a viable alternative to forcible conscription into the military conflict that is brutalizing Nepal. These wonderful jewelers and visionaries are developing secure livelihoods, receiving an education, while financially supporting their families and communities.

TRACEY OLIVETO, Yogi, Activist, North Carolina
Seemingly born with an intuitive understanding of service to others and the planet, Tracey is contagiously spreading the excitement in the fight for good. After years as a Buyer in the Nutrition department at Whole Foods, she became a yoga teacher and yoga therapist and opened Yoga Bliss Studio in Raleigh, NC. She now spends most of her time with her two dogs, and running a blog about social change, taoofchange.com. Tracey loves wearing her bamboo shirts and organic cotton yoga pants every day.