Leavin' on a Jet Plane... 
(but we DO know when we'll be back again!) 

 

A LOT has happened in the past month! While we've been telling people of our plans to visit our artisans in Cambodia and Thailand since last summer, we'd been holding off making any travel plans because STOPstart was relocating their operations. It was a challenge to find a time that worked for everyone, but we realized that if we're truly about "the people" rather than "the products", then we simply needed to take the plunge and book the trip!

We leave on March 19th for a brief visit with friends in Hong Kong, then on to Cambodia, where we'll spend 2 weeks at STOPstart, visit the facilities of Hagar Cambodia, meet with some potential new suppliers, and have discussions with our shipper's Cambodian contacts. We then fly to Thailand where we'll arrive in Napanat just in time to join a Thai Dam New Year's celebration on April 6th and celebrate Easter Sunday on April 8th. We fly home on April 10th, arriving late that night.

 

We've had a number of people tell us that while they don't have a need for any of our products right now, they WOULD like to participate in our trip. If you are one of those people, we've now made it possible! You can contribute directly to our trip costs via PayPal. You don't need a PayPal account to do so - just click the button below and you can contribute using any major credit card!

 

 

And although a number of you would like to "join" us by being stowaways in our luggage, of course that is not possible (the weight restrictions alone make THAT impossible!) BUT there IS a way to make the journey with us! Take a moment, click the Facebook icon AND be certain to "join" us on our trip on Facebook! If you aren't already connected to us, click THIS button to "like" us!     

"When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life."

~ Kofi Annan (1931-) ~

former UN Secretary-General 

Fair Trade: Myth & Reality

As awareness of Fair Trade grows, so do a number of misconceptions about it. In this occasional series we'd like to "debunk" some of those myths. We'll give some response from the Fair Trade Federation (or other FT group) and a bit of KVI commentary as well.

Myth # 2: Fair Trade siphons off American jobs to other countries.

Reality: Fair Trade seeks to change the lives of the poorest of the poor who frequently lack alternative sources income. As North American Fair Trade organizations grow, they employ more and more individuals in their own communities. Most Fair Trade craft products stem from cultures and traditions which are not represented in North American production. Most Fair Trade commodities, such as coffee and cocoa, do not have North American-based alternatives. (Fair Trade Federation)

Commentary: We hear this in various forms, such as "We need jobs HERE!" or "Whatever happened to 'Made in America'!". We're all for American jobs! And we're all for efforts to minimize the "off-shoring" of jobs and applaud those companies who've brought jobs "home". But most of the products we sell don't have "US equivalents", so making them "here" isn't a viable option.  

And interesting "counter-point" is that research into manufacturing jobs tends to support Fair Trade as a means of INCREASING American jobs. When workers in other countries are being paid FAIRLY, a lot of the cost savings from "off-shoring" disappears so it starts making more economic sense to bring those jobs back "home".

We're celebrating! 

It's hard to believe that it's been SEVEN years since Kingdom Ventures was founded! What a wild and crazy ride it's been! We've traveled thousands of miles (with another 15K or so just ahead), met countless numbers of people, and made friends with artisans on three continents. And you, dear readers, have been able to join us on the journey! As we leave on this upcoming trip, we hope you'll follow our progress as we post on Facebook. We look forward to hearing from you as well!!   

And because some of you have asked, we're giving YOU a way to participate in the trip by helping defray the costs of travel. Every dollar that gets contributed goes directly to trip costs, leaving more from the sale of products to buy MORE products from our artisans.  

Of course no birthday would be complete without presents so we're offering you a half-month of GREAT savings. See the details to the left! 

THANK YOU! We greatly appreciate your purchases AND your encouragement! 

 

Wishing you a GREAT month!

  

Rebecca & Glenn Fadner

"Making a Difference!" 

 

Remember to "like" us on Facebook.