This October marked the 65th Anniversary of Ten Thousand Villages. 65 years?! How can that be?
In 1946 Edna Ruth Byler visted a sewing class in Puerto Rico where she took home $5 worth of samples to see if she could generate some interest in the products back home. Within 5 years she had sold over $30,000 worth of needlework! She added different products such as woodenware from Haiti and cross-stitch from Palestinian refugees. The volume of products was soon too much for Edna Ruth's car trunk. She opened a gift shop in her basement. The Fair Trade revolution had begun.
Ultimately the project was handed over to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Edna Ruth retired in 1970. Under the name SELFHELP Crafts, stores were opened throughout Canada in the 1970's. Sales continued to grow and the program became financially independent from MCC. The program and store names changed to Ten Thousand Villages after the Gandhi quote "India is not to be found in its cities but in the 700,000 villages... we hardly ever paused to inquire if these folks get sufficient to eat and clothe themselves with".
At Ten Thousand Villages we look forward to a day when all people can earn a fair and reliable income and have the security of knowing they can provide for themselves and their families. Until that day, we value the support and passion of every one of our customers and volunteers. Thank you as we continue to celebrate the past and work for the future!
