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Saturday, July 17, 2010

Support Peace with Fair Trade


Gracias to those who have made a one-time or recurring to donation to our work in Juarez via Michigan Peace Team's registration with the nonprofit, donor-advised fund Network for Good. We are well on our way to purchasing plane tickets for the four members of our initial team.

We are excited to offer another way for you to contribute while at the same time supporting the work of women's cooperatives in Guatemala. Our friend Melinda VanSlyke has been involved in Guatemala solidarity work since 1995 when she served there as a human rights observer in a
returned refugee village. Because her experiences taught her that true community development has to involve women, Melinda began a fundraising program selling products from women's cooperatives and small scale family-run businesses.

Oralia & Amparo, leaders of the Trama Textile Cooperative in Quetzaltenango.
Melinda & her friend Wilbur from the village where she was a civil rights observer.
Girls from Santa Cruz who use proceeds from their beading cooperative for schooling and to supplement family income.


Heart of the Sky Fair Trade and Michigan Peace Team's initial Juarez team are happy to be working in solidarity with women. As you purchase textiles, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, food & drink at Heart of the Sky you will support community development in
Guatemala. Use the code MPTJuarez at check-out to direct 30% of your purchase to our team's work in bringing peace to the women and families of Juarez.

The International Fair Trade movement defines fair trade as "a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."










Click here to visit Heart of the Sky Fair Trade

Si quieres Paz, lucha por la Justicia
(Karol Józef Wojtyła)