A list of socially-conscious gift ideas for every type of activist:
The Fashionista
For the girl who is always wearing the most original accessories check out the newest products from Me to We Artisans. All the jewelry is hand-crafted by “mamas” in Kenya. Profits go towards helping these female entrepreneurs raise and educate their children in some of the most impoverished and rural areas of Kenya. Prices range from $9.99 for “friendship rings” and bracelets to $299.99 for limited edition antique necklaces.
www.metowe.com/shop/products/artisans
The Caffeine Addict
Starbucks has a line of Product (Red) gift cards, from which partial proceeds benefit the battle against HIV/AIDS. Or, look for gift cards from popular coffee houses such as JJ Bean and Ethical Bean, which serve only fair trade, organic coffee.
The Sporty One
“...thousands of children in India and Pakistan are involved in the production of soccer balls. Workers in both countries are earning wages much lower than the legal minimum and basic human rights are routinely neglected,” states Social Conscience Sports Balls on their website. To combat child labour, they manufacture fair-trade sports equipment, including soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, and rugby balls. Prices range from $25.99 – $74.99.
web.mac.com/james.milligan/Social_Conscience/Fair_Trade_Sports_Balls.html
The Child Inside
Ten Thousand Villages, which has stores located on Granville Island, Commercial Drive and in Port Coquitlam and Langley, sells a wide assortment of fair trade goods imported from developing countries around the world. Of particular note, is their wide variety of children’s’ products, from dolls to puzzles to board games. Each toy includes a tag saying where it was made, and many are reconstructed from recycled materials.
The Home Decorator
Look into candles by La Luciérna (available at Ten Thousand Villages). The proceeds from this project go towards an organization called Actions for Popular Development, which “funds a shelter for abused women and their children, a home for pregnant women and a micro-lending program”.
The Avid Reader
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson tells the story of how a gentle mountain climber discovered his passion in the mountains of Pakistan, building schools for the children living in rural villages there. He describes both the rugged beauty of the country, as well as his own beliefs that education is the key to solving the world’s worst problems. His second book, Stones into Schools, is about his ventures into school-building in Afghanistan. I highly recommend reading both next time you’re in need of inspiration.
Possibly the most powerful book I’ve ever read, A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah is the real-life account of Beah’s time spent as a child soldier in Sierra Leone. It is a heartbreaking glimpse at the abuse suffered by the estimated 300,000 child soldiers worldwide, and, at times, it is graphic in the harsh realities it presents, but ultimately, it is a story of triumph and hope.
Small Change Make Positive Global Impacts
“What do you do to make a difference?” This is a question that’s going to be asked frequently in our lives and answering it can be daunting and difficult. We have to stop for a moment and really think about it. I sat there mulling for a while, thinking about what exactly it is that I do to make a difference. I felt dejected when I realised that I couldn’t come up with an answer straight away, but as I thought of it over the course of the next few days, answers popped into my head.
I recycle, save energy and don’t litter. I smile, laugh and seek to be happy. I appreciate life, dance and try to be good to my mind and body. But most importantly, I volunteer. I give my time and resources to help others who really need it. Subconsciously, I found that at the end of the day, what really mattered to me was knowing that I was happy, positively contributed to this world and made someone’s day.
I look up to Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Mother Teresa as my heroes. Every day, I try to be a bit more like them. And like so many others, I believe that the small things count, too. Whatever you’re able to do to make this world a better place is more than enough. I’ve no doubt that if everyone in this world did their part that these small changes would make for a positive global impact.
Small Changes Make Positive Global Impacts
“What do you do to make a difference?” This is a question that’s going to be asked frequently in our lives and answering it can be daunting and difficult. We have to stop for a moment and really think about it. I sat there mulling for a while, thinking about what exactly it is that I do to make a difference. I felt dejected when I realised that I couldn’t come up with an answer straight away, but as I thought of it over the course of the next few days, answers popped into my head.
I recycle, save energy and don’t litter. I smile, laugh and seek to be happy. I appreciate life, dance and try to be good to my mind and body. But most importantly, I volunteer. I give my time and resources to help others who really need it. Subconsciously, I found that at the end of the day, what really mattered to me was knowing that I was happy, positively contributed to this world and made someone’s day.
I look up to Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Mother Teresa as my heroes. Every day, I try to be a bit more like them. And like so many others, I believe that the small things count, too. Whatever you’re able to do to make this world a better place is more than enough. I’ve no doubt that if everyone in this world did their part that these small changes would make for a positive global impact.
What i do to people.
What I do to change the whole world
The impact my life has on the world is very little, my economical footprint isn’t very big. The thought and imagination I bring change much more. With everyone worrying about non-critical figments of a government’s pure imagination and the life that lies before them, standing in a circle talking here and there about how this happened and what will happen, it gets boring. The forever long fight for control of the birth of the world has gotten many fighting for both sides. My crude humor in the midst of an argument can always turn it around and leave everyone cheerful. Telling them to accept the world as it is, that we grew from what it was, and to push from where we are. I do make an impact on people, possibly the people who will change the world
biggest assignment you have ever got
Ever since people existed, they started to talk about how to make a different world, and a better environment to live in. Changing the world is not as easy as you say. When I actually put in actions, I actually find out that it is so hard to make out the act. Turn off the lights when it’s unneeded, through that garbage into the trash bin, not wasting food; turn off the water when you finish washing your hands and there’s a lot more. Yes, making a better world probably is the biggest assignment you’ve ever got in your life, but if everyone takes part of the “assignment” that can help solve the problem. I could start with my own life, things such as: cleaning the garden, not leaving garbage everywhere I’ve been, turning off the water when it is unneeded. Thought, a different world is not only remaining in our environment, it is also the change between people’s thoughts.
I Never Use the Light in my room
It all started when my dad took out the light in my room, because I was so tired and he thought I read in bed. So, now I have to use the hallway light, the bathroom light, and my cell phone just to see in my room. Now, for me this sucks, but this also helps with the electric bill and with using less energy for the world. Now, if I want to read, I either have to go into the living room, or go into the living room.
Great blog! I love Ten
Great blog! I love Ten Thousand Villages!