Ten Thousand Villages Celebrates 25 Years in Harrisonburg
September 25, 2018
More Than A Store
Ten Thousand Villages Celebrates 25 Years in Harrisonburg
HARRISONBURG — It’s not just a job for Kara Miller — it’s a mission.
Miller, manager of Ten Thousand Villages for two years, handed out cake after the ribbon-cutting Monday in celebration of the nonprofit store’s 25 years in Harrisonburg.
Mayor Deanna Reed, Ten Thousand Villages board members and their families attended and discussed the importance of the store to them and the community.
“I’m so proud to work here,” Miller said as she looked around at all the items strung about the downtown South Main Street shop. “This store being open for this long is a true testament to the community and how much they support fair trade and the work artisans do.”
Ten Thousand Villages is an international company, whose mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products to local markets.
Prices are set based on the living wage of the artisans’ home communities, and the company supports a safe work environment with no child labor, according to Miller.
Fair trade allows people to make money and support themselves and their family, she said, by allowing them to stay in their village with their family and work.
She said the store supports artisans in 38 countries, including those in South Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
“We are all about building relationships with the people who hand make the items we sell,” said Valerie Weaver, who previously had been the store’s manager for 16 years. “We support them long term and get to know them, just like they get to know us.”
When Weaver toured Bangladesh in 2002, she was able to meet with the artisans who made items sold in the store.
Some of the artisans were making orange Christmas ornaments.
“They were so excited about the handcrafted ornaments they were making even though they had no idea that orange ornaments wouldn’t sell here because it isn’t a Christmas color,” Weaver said. “But that’s what was so cool about getting the opportunity to go get to know the artisans. I could tell them firsthand that green and red ornaments would be better colors to use.”
Miller said her favorite part about working for Ten Thousand Villages is seeing the end product and knowing the stories behind it.
Her favorite current items in the store are sacred sari throw blankets made by women from Bangladesh.
“These women got out of the red light district and needed a way to support themselves, so they made these throw blankets,” Weaver said.
Brian Bauer, Ten Thousand Villages board president, said he has enjoyed being a part of something bigger in the community. To him, it’s not a “stuff store,” and he wants people to be aware of the meaning behind the products.
“We’ve been here for 25 years. We’re an anchor here in Harrisonburg, but after a while it seems like we’re taken for granted,” Bauer said. “I’d like the community to remember that not only are we still here, but we’re also not just a ‘stuff store’ and focus on helping others live a better life.”
Ten Thousand Villages Celebrates 25 Years in Harrisonburg
HARRISONBURG — It’s not just a job for Kara Miller — it’s a mission.
Miller, manager of Ten Thousand Villages for two years, handed out cake after the ribbon-cutting Monday in celebration of the nonprofit store’s 25 years in Harrisonburg.
Mayor Deanna Reed, Ten Thousand Villages board members and their families attended and discussed the importance of the store to them and the community.
“I’m so proud to work here,” Miller said as she looked around at all the items strung about the downtown South Main Street shop. “This store being open for this long is a true testament to the community and how much they support fair trade and the work artisans do.”
Ten Thousand Villages is an international company, whose mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products to local markets.
Prices are set based on the living wage of the artisans’ home communities, and the company supports a safe work environment with no child labor, according to Miller.
Fair trade allows people to make money and support themselves and their family, she said, by allowing them to stay in their village with their family and work.
She said the store supports artisans in 38 countries, including those in South Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
“We are all about building relationships with the people who hand make the items we sell,” said Valerie Weaver, who previously had been the store’s manager for 16 years. “We support them long term and get to know them, just like they get to know us.”
When Weaver toured Bangladesh in 2002, she was able to meet with the artisans who made items sold in the store.
Some of the artisans were making orange Christmas ornaments.
“They were so excited about the handcrafted ornaments they were making even though they had no idea that orange ornaments wouldn’t sell here because it isn’t a Christmas color,” Weaver said. “But that’s what was so cool about getting the opportunity to go get to know the artisans. I could tell them firsthand that green and red ornaments would be better colors to use.”
Miller said her favorite part about working for Ten Thousand Villages is seeing the end product and knowing the stories behind it.
Her favorite current items in the store are sacred sari throw blankets made by women from Bangladesh.
“These women got out of the red light district and needed a way to support themselves, so they made these throw blankets,” Weaver said.
Brian Bauer, Ten Thousand Villages board president, said he has enjoyed being a part of something bigger in the community. To him, it’s not a “stuff store,” and he wants people to be aware of the meaning behind the products.
“We’ve been here for 25 years. We’re an anchor here in Harrisonburg, but after a while it seems like we’re taken for granted,” Bauer said. “I’d like the community to remember that not only are we still here, but we’re also not just a ‘stuff store’ and focus on helping others live a better life.”
