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The ZOË Chronicles
Welcome to the first monthly issue of the ZOË Chronicles. Each month we will be sending out a brief note giving glimpses into the stories that are unfolding around the world in the lives of the people that we are working with. ZOË is a Greek word that means abundant and flourishing life and so we can think of no better way to stay in touch than to share stories of empowering people for life.
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Who is ZOË Alliance ZOË Alliance Inc. is a social enterprise that harnesses what we spend to help developing nations break the cycle of poverty.
ZOË Alliance helps people and companies transform impoverished villages with their regular purchases. We stretch each dollar spent on a personal or corporate gift three ways: - to purchase a gift that tells the story of hope
- to create jobs with dignity in villages; and
- to donate funds toward a school or village project.
We also help companies link their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to the bottom line by making it easy to source high quality, profitable products from producer groups in villages around the globe.
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It All Began by Drawing a Line in the Sand Do you remember the simple pleasure of winning a game? Feeling like it would not be possible to win, and then - to your own surprise, beating someone bigger or older and feeling on top of the world? Two years ago in Haiti, we came across a game of strategy called Ti Ta To 10 (Dix), pronounced Tee Ta To Dees, and played it with the lines for the game drawn in the sand a number of times before our old knees prompted us to draw them onto a piece of plywood and sit in chairs instead of crouching on the ground. On that trip we played a lot. We won some, lost most of the time, and gave some of that joy of winning to children in the village.
That trip was the beginning of a journey to develop a strategic business solution that would help the local leaders Wijean Compere, Phenel D'Haiti, Jean Presume, and Brian Stout grow a business in Haiti that would create steady and growing employment for the men and women of Bois de Lance.
The past two years has not been dissimilar to a game of Ti Ta To 10. There has been a need to understand the rules, think ahead several moves, move slowly forward, recover from missteps, and progress gradually toward victory. While the challenges have been significant, growing businesses are what the people of Haiti and the economy desperately need.
Just this year Bill Clinton and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were in Haiti and are working with the local leadership to help them execute on their plan to grow the economy, create trade linkages, build the infrastructure and establish opportunities for Haitians to create a strong future for their country and their children.
(Photo by Reuters)
On June 15, 2009 UN Special Envoy Bill Clinton addressed the United Nations in New York indicating that Haiti is on the cusp of stability and prosperity. During his address he stated: "Haiti, not withstanding the total devastation wreaked by the four storms last year, has the best chance to escape the darker aspects of its history in the 35 years that I have been going there." Read more about his trip.
Our partners in Haiti and their small business are part of a very big picture and a concerted effort toward change. As they and others like them grow their businesses a new chapter in the history of Haiti is being written.
When I look at the pictures of the men and women working on the shipment of games that we just received and think of Sam buying cement blocks to build a house, and Helene and the women providing for their children, I have to smile and think...this all began by drawing some lines in the sand. Not just for a friendly game in the village, but more importantly for the future of a nation.
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Product Spotlight - Ti Ta To 10 (Dix)
(Pronounced Tee Ta To Dees)
Hand crafted by the local artisans of Bois de Lance, Haiti, this entertaining board game is a mix of the strategic challenge of Chess and the unexpected windfalls of Checkers. Inspired by Haitian village children, this exquisite game set makes a beautiful décor piece and an excellent gift.
Watch the story behind the game.Dimensions: 13.5"L x13.5"W ¾" Thick | Hard-Wood-Eco-Harvested in the Dominican Republic Shipments: Shipments arrive 5 - 7 days after order placement.
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Take the ZOË Challenge
Spread the Word - Empower People for Life
The ZOË Challenge is our chance to make a huge difference with our regular buying decisions.
Between now and Oct 17, 2010 (International Day for the Eradication of Poverty), the ZOË Challenge asks you to: - Commit to buying a fair trade product from any reputable fair trade vendor - Tell us what you plan to do on our website - Ask 3 friends to do the same
That's it! If we all did this, our collective purchases would funnel millions of dollars to the creation of jobs with dignity in developing nations. Just 10% of what North Americans spend on gifts/donations could generate $89.4 billion dollars that would create growing economies helping to break the cycle of poverty in developing nations.
There are lots of great places to buy Fair Trade items that help build the economy in villages. Here are a few:
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What's New
We are excited to be piloting a new project in Guatemala for a very high quality hand stitched leather journal/notebook cover.  A limited quantity is available this fall for individual orders and as part of a very unique and memorable Global Gift Basket.
Contact us directly if you are interested in obtaining one of these items.
This partnership is helping to employ men and women in Guatemala and we look forward to announcing all the details in a future issue of the ZOË Chronicles.
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News
We are excited the announce the launch of our redesigned website! Take a look and tell us what you think
Angie Draskovic, founder and President of ZOË Alliance, was selected as a recipient of the Silver Lining Award, an award which is given to entrepreneurs who have translated a passion into a business, who are employing people and are creative, connected and committed to what they do. |
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Contact Us
ZOE Alliance Inc
15-75 Bayly Street West
Suite 279
Ajax, ON Canada
L1S 7K7
Tel: (647) 477-4377
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