Ten Thousand Villages Shop 2012
     at Oswego Presbyterian Church      

Mark your calendars!

Tell your friends!                Plan your personal and gift shopping!             Check out the display in the Narthex!

Saturday, November 3, 12 noon until 4:00 P.M.
Sunday, November 4,  9:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.

For two days OPC's Ten Thousand Villages Shop offers the community a fair trade shopping opportunity to support skilled artisans in some of the poorest regions of the world. Bring your Christmas shopping list and browse house wares, Christmas ornaments, baskets, jewelry and much, much more.

All proceeds from the shop benefit Ten Thousand Villages artisans around the world.  Last year, the proceeds from the OPC shop provided support for nearly eight artisans and their families for one year. 

Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit fair trade organization and a program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).  MCC is a relief service and peace agency of the


                   Click here for more pictures at the 2011 store.

North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches. To learn more about fair trade missions, please visit: www.tenthousandvillages.com.                  

Would you like to help in the OPC store?  Click here for volunteer opportunities.

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade provides under- and unemployed artisans with an opportunity to earn vital income and improve their quality of life by establishing a sustainable market for their handcrafted products. Ten Thousand Villages is a founding member of the IFAT - the World Fair Trade Organization, a global network of more than 350 fair trade organizations in 70 countries.

Fair Trade Principles

Cash Advances and Prompt Final Payments
Artisans receive up to 50 percent in cash advances when an order is placed, and payment in full when an order is shipped.

A Fair Price
Artisans and Ten Thousand Villages agree on a fair price that covers the cost of labor and materials and enables artisans to earn fair compensation for their work.

Long-Term Relationships
Artisans can plan for the future with consistent orders from year to year.

Design Collaboration
Our designers and buyers work with artisans to build on their traditional skills with trend and color information and new product suggestions.

Environmental Responsibility
We encourage our staff and artisan partners to employ sustainable practices and use recycled and natural materials when possible.

Much appreciation to all those in Oswegoland who shopped in our 2011 Ten Thousand Villages Store. Shoppers found hundreds of handcrafted musical instruments, baskets, ornaments, toys and jewelry made by skilled artisans in more than 30 countries.  All proceeds from the Ten Thousand villages Shop benefit Ten Thousand Villages artisans around the world. Sales at the 2011 event totaled over $7,040, enough in many areas of the world for nearly six artisans to support their families for an entire year. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit fair trade organization (discussed below).

Learn more at www.tenthousandvillages.com.