WorldCrafts
WorldCrafts, a compassion ministry of national WMU, develops sustainable fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Its vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
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Our Story
WorldCrafts develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
Established in 1996, WorldCrafts began with just one artisan group, Thai Country Trim, in Bangkla, Thailand. Today we work with numerous artisan groups to import and sell hundreds of fine, handcrafted items from many countries around the globe. And we still work with Thai Country Trim, helping them employ more and more women at risk of abuse and exploitation. That’s who we are. Committed. Holistic. Fair Trade.
We are committed to the in-country partners and artisan groups with whom we work. Our aim is to develop viable employment for women and men in poverty. Why? So women no longer need to turn to prostitution for their next meal. So fathers and mothers can provide education and nutrition to their children.
We are holistic. Our artisan groups seek to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their workers. Men and women receive job training and enjoy comfort, camaraderie, friendship, and purpose, perhaps for the first time. Women find a safe haven and receive counseling as they leave the sex industry. Individuals and families discover the abundant life and see that life lived out in front of them.
We are fair trade. WorldCrafts abides by and requires all partnering artisan groups to abide by fair trade principles to ensure that artisans receive fair wages and the goods purchase were produced in an ethical and environmentally-friendly manner.
When did WorldCrafts Start?
WorldCrafts began in 1996 with only one artisan group—Thai Country Trim (TCT). TCT had been established by our local contacts in Thailand years earlier. Today, WorldCrafts works with multiple artisan groups to import and sell hundreds of beautiful handcrafted items from countries around the globe. We are committed to our artisans and seek to ensure that our partnerships are sustainable. In fact, more than 20 years later, we are still partnering with Thai Country Trim!
More Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the mission and vision of WorldCrafts?
WorldCrafts and its local partners develop fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
How are WorldCrafts artisans paid?
WorldCrafts always pays our artisans in full. WorldCrafts artisans receive a fair wage for every piece whether it sells or not. We also pay all shipping and customs charges. Our utmost concern is holistic lifestyle improvement for the artisans.
Are the artisans paid fairly?
We partner with artisan leaders around the globe who abide by fair trade principles to ensure that the products we purchase are produced ethically in a safe environment where artisans receive fair and prompt wages.
Are there other ways I can support WorldCrafts?
Every time you shop WorldCrafts, you make a difference in the lives of global artisans. You may also choose to give a tax-deductible contribution online or through the mail to help provide the funding needed to pay our artisans a sustainable living wage, bring their products to the United States, and create opportunities to market them for sale.
What is your return policy? What if I don't like the product I have ordered?
WorldCrafts guarantees your satisfaction. If you are not satisfied for any reason, within 30 days of purchase simply return your product with a copy of your original packaging slip marked RETURN, and you will receive a full refund. Shipping and handling charges are not refunded.
Please note that items purchased on clearance (50% discount) are not returnable.
How can we become an artisan group?
If you are interested in starting a WorldCrafts group, send us an email at [email protected] and we will email product submission guidelines.
4 Reasons Why Fairtrade is Important
Each and every product we purchase comes to us through a fair or unfair trade. We don’t often consider how an item was produced or to the treatment of those who made it, but we should care about integrity in trade. Here are some reasons why we should care about fair trade, especially in how we handle our dealings with the poor.
Unfair trade leads to entrenched poverty and hopelessness. Poverty produces desperation. Desperation produces exploitation. Exploitation produces suffering. Suffering produces hopelessness. The hopelessness of poverty is not God’s plan. Rather, the Bible is clear that God’s people are to intervene to keep people from becoming desperate and exploited as slaves or prostitutes, or end up with diseases and addictions that have been forced on them. “Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner that he may live with you” (Lev. 25:35 NASB). The Lord requires that we make an investment in the lives of the impoverished.
Supporting fair trade insures opportunities for marginalized workers including fair wages, child rights, and humane working conditions. The Lord requires us to give the poor worker “his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; so that he will not cry against you to the Lord and it becomes sin in you” (Deut. 24:15 NASB). Prompt and fair payment is critical for life to those who may go without food, shelter, clothing, or dignity, because of their poverty.
Fair trade restores dignity to the impoverished. We join the Lord in His work as “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap” (Ps. 113:7 NASB). Fair trade restores dignity as women are freed from prostitution, families remain together because selling a child is no longer necessary, teens receive an education so they can choose a different plan for their lives, and communities are transformed where people for the first time have an income they can depend on. Fair trade gives hope for a better life and restores the dignity God intended for all people.
Restoring dignity to the poor honors God. “He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him” (Prov. 14:31 NASB). Regard for the needs of the poor worker is required because of who God is. We should need no other incentive.
So what can you do? Support fair trade with your purchasing decisions. Consider a new way of viewing the products you purchase, and realize the opportunities around you to positively impact the lives of others by seek out fair trade ministries like WorldCrafts that are making an eternal difference for impoverished artisans around the world.