About Us
Ten Thousand Villages began in 1946 when Edna Ruth Byler, a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker, visited volunteers in Puerto Rico who were teaching sewing classes in an effort to help improve the lives of women living in poverty.From this trip, Edna brought several pieces of embroidery home to sell to friends and neighbours. The pieces became quite popular and she soon added cross-stitch needlework from Palestinian refugees and hand-carved Haitian woodenware to her inventory.
In the early 1970s, the flourishing project moved out of Byler’s basement and became SELFHELP CRAFTS, an official MCC program. Thousands of loyal customers and volunteers have helped to build this program into the strong alternative trading organization that, in 1996, became known as Ten Thousand Villages.
Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit Fair Trade Organization (FTO). FTOs
are non-governmental organizations designed to benefit artisans, not to
maximize profits. They market products from handicraft and agricultural
organizations based in low-income countries, providing consumers with
products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable sources.
Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization
(WFTO), a global network of Fair Trade Organizations. WFTO’s mission is
to improve the livelihood and well-being of disadvantaged producers by
linking and promoting Fair Trade organizations and speaking out for
greater justice in world trade. Over 270 FTOs in 60 countries form the
basis of this network.
Ten Thousand Villages depends on the imagination, innovation and
dedication of many Canadians who have been inspired by the vision of
Fair Trade. Our volunteers help out in stores across the country, host
Festival Sales and give important assistance in the Head Office and
Distribution Centre. Share the stories of transformation, hope and
dignity with your community, friends and family.
There are many ways you can get involved!
