Choose a valentines gift that will pamper your sweetheart without spoiling the planet with a whole range of ideas from www.ecotopia.co.uk. Choose one of these gifts and support an overseas project that helps disadvantaged people live and work sustainably in Asia and Africa.
Soapstone incense pebbles with inscribed words of love, hope and faith - 97p
These beautiful incense holders are hand carved from soapstone in Agra. This project supports 104 workers in 25 groups local to Agra, the traditional centre for soapstone and marble carving. In the shadow of the Taj Mahal each item is hand carved with incredible skill and patience. The project offers all artisans fair wages, a dust free environment in which to work, health insurance and life insurance. If the groups struggle with the cost of the raw materials, the project will give a helping hand, as well as offering design advice to sustain the work of each group. The project is actively involved in addressing the problem of child labour in the region and is a member of IFAT.
Red Apron with Hearts - £12.67
Made by a women's group in Mumbai, training and employing women with little education.100% organic cotton hand screen printed using vegetable inks.
Leather Heart Keyrings - £2.45
These are made from leather in a unit in the countryside near Kolkata. Their artisans are from nearby villages and are able to live at the centre during the week. The group provides them with meals made from organic food. All employees receive a provident fund, pension, medical insurance and a yearly bonus. This allows them to support their families and send their children to school. The group has established a charity, which provides; scholarships for widows and unemployed people living in Kamarhati, donates textbooks to students and has set up a centre for single mothers, widows and troubled wives.
Cotton Leather Notebooks – £4.88
These are made from handmade paper using recycled cotton rags. These are made in a rural place on the outskirts of Delhi. The company is a family firm and for many years was involved in the process of agricultural grain. When there was economic troubles for farming in India and the market for grain fell away, the boss of the unit decided to go to Jaipur and learn the craft of making paper from recycled cotton rags. He then returned to teach each and every one of his workers the new skills. This ensured their continued employment
Heart card holder - £7.78
These are made from iron and powder coated. The product is hand made at every stage. This group is a member of World Fair Trade Organisation; their staff receive health coverage, PPF and insurance. The group has built two schools and is working towards providing a water filter for all of its work units
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For more information please contact Sara Hobbin on 07885975671
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