Forgotten Anything?

It happens to everybody; it’s the day before Christmas, you are finished with Christmas shopping and then you realise you have forgotten something. Time for a mad panic! But don’t worry we can help!  There is one gift you can order online on the last day of Christmas shopping and still have delivered in time for Christmas; a Gift Certificate from Arusha Fair Trade.   We’ll send the Certificate straight to your inbox; you print it out, present it to your loved one and tell them you thought they would like to choose their own present.   If you like we can add a personal message to the gift certificate, just tell us what you have in mind in the delivery notes section when you are ordering online.

Delivery will be free for your gift recipient; when they place an order using a gift certificate, or voucher, delivery is automatically added free of charge.  There is no expiry date on our gift certificates and vouchers.  Click here to buy a gift certificate.

Stocking Filler Idea

This pen is made from wood and comes with a case, also made of wood.  Both are decorated with traditional Worli art.   Costing just €11.95 it makes a great stocking filler or a gift for a 'difficult to buy for' Dad.


Worli art originates from a small tribe of the same name living in Maharashtra, India. Their tribal paintings are spontaneous expressions of folk life, customs and beliefs, conveyed on these products through simple ink-pen drawings on maple wood.






Click here to purchase from our online shop.

Beautiful Shoulder Bags now with 25% off

Beautiful shoulder bag made with softest fine Indian goat suede and sheep leather.  25% off the regular price.  Are you tempted?  This bag would make a great Christmas Present and they are now just €56.   Buy this bag and you help support girls in Nepal who have been rescued from a life of slavery. 

This large slouch shoulder bag is is available in brown, black or grey. The main body is made of soft suede with leather detail and leather shoulder straps, magnetic catch to close. It is fully lined with cotton and includes an internal zip.

The bag is handmade in Nepal but hardware is not produced locally in Nepal and so to reduce air miles over the Himalayas, this unique collection excludes hardware, highlighting the soft combination of sheep leather and softest Indian goat suede.

These beautiful bags are made by girls rescued from slavery from the Indian circuses by the Esther Benjamins Trust. You can read more about the story of these girls on the product page of our online shop.

Fiver Friday

July 1st 2011 is Fiver Friday in Ireland.  Joe Duffy and the RTE Liveline Team are encouraging consumers to give the economy a little boost by spending an extra fiver locally.


Here at Arusha we are offering all our customers a €5 discount plus a free gift on all orders received from 1st to 3rd July.

How do I use my discount voucher? 

Begin by browsing our store.  Make your selections and click to add them to your cart.  Then  click on the "CART" button to the left of your screen.  

You will see a voucher box  enter the code  "FIVER" and €5 will be deducted from the cost of your order.  (Please make sure you click on the CART button and not the CHECKOUT button.) 

  

Consumer Distress

Cartoon from www.developmenteducation.ie

Fair Trade Pan Pipes

A traditional South American instrument recreated in young bamboo. The artists have created an intricate etched design to the wood. A scale of 12 notes is bound together with bamboo and twine. It is played by blowing across the top of the note to create a haunting, flute like sound. 

Please note this is a real musical instrument (e.g. not a toy) from a range produced in Indonesia by local artists, communities and craftsmen. All raw materials are sustainable and legal.

http://www.arushafairtrade.com/men/134-pan-pipes.html

Penguin Rucksack and Pencil Case

This is perfect for any little person you know who may be starting school or playschool - delightful hand-embroidered cotton rucksack and matching pencil case set. Made at St. Mary's, India, who offer computer literacy classes for their employees' children and so improve their prospects for the future.

In 1954, a group of Dominican nuns arrived in Ahmedabad to start a hospital. Ahmedabad was an industrial city, producing textiles, but when the mills began to close many men lost their jobs and women became the sole earners. As a result, the nuns organised a sewing/embroidery centre where women use traditional skills to make fair trade handicrafts. The women at St Mary's also have access to medical help, savings schemes, cooking classes and scholarships for children. 

Available for next day despatch from our online store

Perfect gift for a Cat Lover

There are as many words to describe the traits of the cat as there are words to describe their owners. Usually the descriptions go something like, "graceful and agile", or, "so cute". Others will try to define their personality such as, "independent and loners", or " stubborn and strong willed". 

Whether we have described your cat or your favourite cat owner we think you will love this fair trade terracotta cat which is also a tealight holder.  At only €10.95 you will also like the price.

http://www.arushafairtrade.com/living-room/160-william-tealight.html

World Day for Cultural Diversity

May 21st is World Day for Cultural Diversity.  UNESCO introduced this day to provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.

Our range of books introduce children to cultures and traditions from all over the world, encouraging them to see life from different perspectives. 

      

    

Special Offer – 50% Off Tulip Bell Bag

This large slouch shoulder bag is now HALF PRICE and is available in brown,  black or grey. The main body is made of soft suede with leather detail and leather shoulder straps, magnetic catch to close. It is  fully lined with cotton and includes an internal zip.

The bag is handmade in Nepal but hardware is not produced locally in Nepal and so to reduce air miles over the Himalayas, this unique collection excludes hardware, highlighting the soft combination of sheep leather and softest fine Indian goat suede. 

These beautiful bags are made by girls rescued from slavery from the Indian circuses by the Esther Benjamins Trust.  You can read more about the story of these girls on the product page in our online shop.   

Meditation Chimes

8 highly polished steel bars are suspended above a sustainable mahogany wood platform. When the keys are struck with the included beater they create a light, crisp tone that continues to resonate well after the note has been played. The full octave of notes allows melodies to be played on the instrument.

Our range of instruments are produced in Indonesia by local artists, communities and craftsmen. Producers represent the five main religions and both male and female craftsmen are employed through the various stages of the production process. This helps to further maintain a social balance in these areas. 

Producers are allowed to dictate prices and these prices are above local averages.   In return they supply high quality products and there is an attention to detail that surpasses products made under factory or other mass-production conditions. This rewards the high quality craftsmen and encourages other importers to work with the high quality artists above other producers.  Child labour is not used but the part-time training of older youths is encouraged. These trainees remain in education and they receive a full wage for the time that they spend working. This will ensure that they have a career to follow upon leaving school (if they choose to do so) and will help to sustain the community for successive generations.

All raw materials are sustainable and legal. No poached or endangered woods are  used. No toxic or harmful materials are to be used in the production process and any waste created must be disposed of in an ecologically sound manner.

Available in our online store

Wooden Train

Forget shiny plastic gadgets and have a look at this beautifully simple and superbly hand-crafted toy. Nobody should see their childhood out without at least one train and this pull-along wooden train is made by an organisation in Thailand which preserves traditional craft skills. The carts are linked with cord while the engine section of the train can be taken to pieces. When we display this toy at a craft fair the children in the room are instantly attracted to it.  Made in Thailand by Thaicraft.

Available to purchase from our online store

Peruvian Silver Ring

An excellent gift for those who love to accessorise, this adjustable sterling silver ring comes with three different stones to co-ordinate with different outfits. One each of turquoise crisocola, purple spondillus and orange spondillus gemstones. Handmade in Peru by Allpa artisans getting a fair deal. 

Price reduced to €32.20

Click here to view in our store.

Carved Coconut Karimba

This coconut karimba is also known as an Mbira. A highly polished, half coconut shell is used to create a sound chamber that amplifies the 7 notes suspended above. This wonderfull instrument is carved with a gecko design.  It costs €18.90.  


Our range of instruments are produced in Indonesia by local artists, communities and craftsmen. Producers represent the five main religions and both male and female craftsmen are employed through the various stages of the production process. This helps to further maintain a social balance in these areas. 

Special Offer to Celebrate World Fair Trade Day

We are celebrating World Fair Trade Day and from now until 31st May 2011 we are giving a 20% discount to all customers who make a purchase in our online store.

There is no minimum purchase and this is a further discount against lots of products which have already been reduced in price.

To avail of this discount, begin by browsing our store at http://www.arushafairtrade.com/.  Make your selections and click to add them to your cart.  Then  click on the "CART" button to the left of your screen.  You will see a box where you can enter the discount code . The discount code is FAIRTRADE  (Please make sure you click on the CART button and not the CHECKOUT button.) 

FAIR TRADE / UNFAIR TRADE

We found this cartoon on http://www.developmenteducation.ie It reminds us of the theme for  World Fair Trade Day; Fair Trade your world which hopes to encourage private consumers to include Fair Trade in their shopping bag.

World Fair Trade Day 2011

On 14 May 2011 millions of small producers, artisans, farmers and small-hold manufacturers, Fair Trade producers, traders and consumers will celebrate World Fair Trade Day. 

 

This year World Fair Trade DAY has the theme  “TRADE FOR PEOPLE – Fair Trade your world” 

 

The theme encompasses the strong belief in the need to put people and the environment at the heart of trade and consumption, Trade for people means trade for sustainable development of local communities. More than half a century of Fair Trade has proven that trade can be a most efficient tool for poverty alleviation, trade can change lives and communities. 

 

Fair Trade your world stands for private consumers to include Fair Trade in their shopping bag, for business to include Fair Trade in their supply and offices, for local authorities and national governments to include Fair Trade in public procurement in a strive for responsible consumption.

Further information is available here.

Happy Mother's Day

BEFORE I WAS A MOM

"Before I was a mom, I made and ate hot meals, wore unstained clothes and had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom, I never worried about how late I went to bed because I could sleep in as long as I wanted.

Before I was a mom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth everyday.

Before I was a mom, I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the

morning newspaper on a Saturday morning.

Before I was a mom, I slept the whole night through.

Before I was a mom, my house was clean everyday and I didn't worry about whether or not my plants were poisonous.

Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, peed on, chewed on or pinched by little fingers.

Before I was a mom, I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

Before I was a mom, I never held down a screaming child while doctors and nurses did tests or gave shots. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces because I couldn't stop the hurt.

Before I was a mom, I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

Before I was a mom, I never got gloriously happy over a toothless grin.

Before I was a mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never was up in the wee hours of the night just watching a baby while it slept. I never knew that something so small couldn't effect my life so tremendously.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I could love someone so unconditionally and completely.

Before I was a mom, I never knew how satisfying it is to feed a hungry

child. I never knew how fulfilling it is to soothe a baby's cries.

Before I was a mom, I loved my mom, but didn't understand her.

Before I was a mom, I never knew the warmth, the joy, the heartache, the

wonderment, or the fulfillment of being a mom.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I would love being a mom."

- Sharon L. Twitchell

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Under €10:

This satin jewellery roll costs just €6.15 and is perfect for holding your jewellery when you are away.  Traditional sari embroidery has been hand-stitched on the front. With two zipped compartments, one open pocket and padded ring roll inside.  Made in India by Tara Projects

• Fair Trade Producer Details

Tara Projects is a non-profit organisation based in Delhi serving some 25 community-based groups of artisans from all regions in North India. Tara's objective is to help craft workers to achieve self-sufficiency by providing income-generating opportunities and developing marketing skills. They have brought about major changes in these craft groups and their communities due to fair trade sales.

Under €20:

€13.95

Soft raw silk scarf.  

100% Tussah silk.  This scarf is available in a variety of colours.

Made by a fair trade project in Vietnam

To purchase Mother's Day gifts online please visit our  store.