Welcome to our global maker-to-market movement where, together with 20,000 artisans, we ignite social change. We create opportunities for individuals, families, and communities in developing countries to thrive through strong relationships, fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices.
Gender equality is one of the principles of fair trade. And because a patriarchal ideology still exists in the Bali island, Mitra Bali artisan group has committed to providing opportunities to marginalized women of this region, many of whom have been victims of domestic abuse. This thumb piano is just one of the products that Mitra Bali teaches women to create so that they can grow to become self-reliant.
HANDCRAFTED IN INDONESIA
SKU: 6912240
THE MAKERS
Mitra Bali, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, functions loosely as a cooperative representing artisans who make wood, silver, bamboo, coconut, ceramic and other handicrafts. Located on the island of Bali, the organization was formed in 1993 to support poor artisans facing ruin because well-established businesses controlled prices and monopolized the burgeoning Bali tourism market. The cooperative only works with producers who support gender equity, provide healthy working conditions, use environmentally sustainable materials, and do not exploit child labor or women. Mitra Bali helps artisans during periods of low orders with no-interest loans and the loaning of cows. Mitra Bali also supports a reforestation program, an environmental initiative, as well as an effort to prevent artisans from selling their land. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased from Mitra Bali since 1989.
Tenthousandvillages.com