Alternative Holiday and Special Day Traditions

Rose Tunic- Part of Fair Trade Clothing Collection by Sevya

How can we make our holidays and special days more meaningful? One idea is to build into our interpretations of these special times deeper understanding and more compassionate practices. Good examples of this can be found during any holiday. For instance, during the North American Thanksgiving holiday many people choose to serve food to the homeless. During Christmas many choose to do extra work for charities. Here is another idea: consider supporting truly grassroots, truly fair trade organizations like Sevya with purchases of fair trade clothing, home decor, jewelry, bedding or gift cards.

When you choose fair trade you are making a compassionate effort to help others. At Sevya we are proud that our profits are put to great uses through the All India Movement. The following quote from a recent nomination for the prestigious Times of India Social Justice Award describes this group's positive work: "AIM for Seva is a registered independent public charitable trust, having special consultative status with the United Nations. It provides education to children in tribal, rural and remote areas of India through an innovative project called Free Student Homes (FSH). FSH overcomes two obstacles in the Indian educational system: access to education and high dropout rates. By building the homes close to existing schools, it reduces the need to invest in new schools. Also, by catering to a larger linguistic catchment area through home stay, more students gain access to a school. The atmosphere of learning at the home encourages and gives confidence to the child to stay in the school system. After school, children are provided tuitions to cope with the curriculum, and a package of co-curricular activity like performing arts, crafts and vocational education help children to become more confident and active citizens of their community. The dropout rate for children in FSH is remarkably low: 1% in 2010 compared to the national average of 60%. Since the organization’s inception in 2000, 100 projects have been completed at an annual growth rate of 125 %( during 2006 to 2012, excluding the earlier gestation period), at an investment of Rs 80 crores. The project has impacted 35,000 students, 50,000 families, 5000 villages and 10 million people. The pass out rate is 100% from 2008 onwards when the first batch of students appeared for their board exams."

Kavida Floral Tunic- Part of Fair Trade Clothing Collection by Sevya

Can we envision a progressive future through our celebrations of special days? Imagine the amazing things that could be done with all the energy we put into holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries-- special occasions of all sorts. Imagine how we could both signify and beautify these occasions through purchasing very beautiful, heirloom quality, fair trade textiles, jewelry, decor, clothing, cards, etc.

Fair trade retail and wholesale scarves are made by cooperatives. Workers are compensated fairly, and all ten principles of fair trade are strictly adhered to.

Sevya promotes sustainable projects like the ones noted above in the Times for India Social Justice nomination for AIM. Sales of retail and wholesale fair trade items generate profits that are directed toward effective grassroots, progressive efforts like those detailed above.