Celebrating Fair Trade

You believe that Fair Trade is a great way to improve the lives of farmers and artisans. You want to support them on their journey to become better stewards of the land and their communities. You care about supporting the brands that are sourcing ethically and transparently.

Can you make a commitment to purchase at least one Fair Trade Certified product every time you shop?

Daraja Imports makes it easy to trade fairly while shopping online.  Discover how easy it is to have the confidence that you make a difference when you purchase from Daraja Imports™.  Because every piece does have a story.  All of our pieces at Daraja Imports are handcrafted and reflect the highest level of skill and premium craftsmanship.  Our partnering elite artists are talented, conscientious and conduct business in sustainable product development.

Another approach is to make one swap in your everyday routine.

In 2011, Fair Trade USA and partner brands garnered support for Fair Trade with the help of several celebrity ambassadors.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon kicked off Fair Trade Month by hosting ice cream makers Ben & Jerry on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Introducing the ice cream flavor, which is made with Fair Trade Certified vanilla and cocoa, gave Ben and Jerry the opportunity to discuss Fair Trade and the company’s goal to use entirely Fair Trade Certified ingredients by 2013.

...and the list goes on ...

straight to your community.

Support Fair Trade business and spread the love.

October is Fair Trade Month

October is Fair Trade Month in the United States. 

This yearly celebration focuses on increasing

awareness and building support for Fair Trade in the United States. Throughout the month, manufacturers, retailers, students, NGO organizations and Fair Trade Towns hold events and promotions in support of Fair Trade.

Having trouble finding Fair Trade products where you shop? Sometimes all you have to do is ask! Requesting more Fair Trade products is as easy as filling out a comment card or speaking directly with the manager. Explain that you want to make every purchase matter by buying Fair Trade. 

Fair Trade is a market-based approach to fighting poverty.  That means that it only works when you actually buy the stuff.  So make sure you’re holding up your end of the bargain during October!

Take the time to teach a friend or family member about the importance of Fair Trade. Help them to understand why Every Purchase Matters and why farmers in the developing world need our support.

DarajaImports™ and our business partners share a vision of economic and environmental sustainability in remote villages of East and South Africa by representing and offering their elite, handcrafted art, fashion and apparel pieces.  Through this developing partnership we all make a difference.

Discover how easy it is to have the confidence that you make a difference when you purchase from Daraja Imports™.  Because every piece does have a story.

Fair Trade in Africa Celebrated

Daraja Imports Celebrated Fair Trade Partners in Africa

Sharing his recent speech Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Dr. Christian Turner and Department for International Development UK.. about Fair Trade in Africa - it's a key moment.... 

"All of us - governments, charities, business and consumers – must play their part and focus on inclusive growth and jobs. Breaking down the barriers to free and fair trade. It is fantastic that DFID is supporting projects like these in Kenya…which are having such a transformative impact on people’s lives. This is a key moment for shaping the future of development… we must grasp it."

Maasai Village in Remote Kenyan Bush

DarajaImports™ and our business partners share a vision of economic and environmental sustainability in remote villages of East and South Africa by representing and offering their elite, handcrafted art, fashion and apparel pieces.  Through this developing partnership we all make a difference.

These handmade East African Zulugrass necklaces are a dazzling display of color and an eco-fashion statement! Made in the remote Kenyan bush by Maasai women.

Glass Dragonflies are hand created with glass seed beads and a beautiful hand-blown bead from Kitengela Glass in Kenya to form the body.

Coffees Fairly Traded

Smallholder  Farmers in Lower Income Countries 

are Vulnerable to Wide Commodity Price fluctuations and declining relative prices. In response, various market interventions have been designed to reduce smallholder vulnerability.

Fair trade is a market-based approach to smallholder development that attempts to use consumer demand as incentive to restructure global trading relationships. By contrast, free trade approaches to development emphasize liberalizing markets and increasing competition and smallholder efficiency as the route to improved smallholder well-being.

In Tanzania, 275000 hectares are under coffee cultivation, supporting some 500000 households. Small-holders, with an average area of 0.5 hectare, are responsible for over 90% of the country’s production.

Kuzilwa (1997, p. 46) defines smallholders as ‘farmers (households) owning relatively small farms and [producing] a variety of crops both for subsistence and cash. They depend on family labour to produce their output and use relatively labour intensive techniques of production’.

Tanzanian  farmers  who  grow  coffee  face  a  number  of  vulnerabilities  in  the  world  and  domestic markets. The global coffee market is characterized by volatile prices that are in long-term relative decline.

Tanzania’s coffee  industry  is  dominated  by  a  two-tier  cooperative  system.  Each  village  contains  a primary society run by officers elected from the community. Primary societies are organized regionally under umbrella cooperative unions.

Daraja Imports  proudly supports fair trade coffees.  

Fair Trade in Malawi

Wristlets

Handcrafted In Malawi 

Fairly Traded with Daraja Imports

Malawi is 1 of 39 countries in the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC), who are eligible to receive assistance from the IMF. Their economy greatly depends on economic assistance from organizations like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other individual donor nations.

We , and our associates would never be as bold as to say that we are making vast changes in Malawi's economy, but our mission is to introduce artisans to the international markets and provide opportunities for social and economic change.  

Swing Bags

Through the sale of fair trade gifts, artisans (particularly women) are becoming economically empowered.  

Our products from Malawi are top quality that can be compared to any.  Shop Daraja Imports for handcrafted items made in Malawi.

Kitchen Aprons

Kids Plush Toys

About Daraja Imports

Daraja Imports™

Daraja meaning "Bridge" in Swahili, is a registered Fair Trade company in the USA and we are building an economic bridge between rural East and Southern Africans and the USA. 

It's not a new idea.  It's a great idea - trading fairly.  As individuals we most likely do not practice that enough.  Enjoying and supporting companies who practice fair trade has become easier as more companies see the all around value.  Consumers can find almost anything they are shopping for with a fair trade company.  

Our mission is to build that bridge to sustainability for the impoverished yet talented and skilled artisans. We have achieved this through partnering with local artisan groups and organizations throughout Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland and South Africa. We are empowering these rural men and women and making a difference in the lives of so many through unique handcrafts that represent a fusion of traditional art form and creative contemporary high quality designs. 

We offer handcrafted items that reflect the highest level of skill and craftsmanship. We partner with many talented African artisans who are conscientious and conduct business in sustainable product development. All products are made by different groups of enterprising, rural men and women, many of whom are widows, a group of physically disabled Tanzanian people, young adults orphaned by genocide and HIV/AIDS, and women who have been affected by HIV/AIDS either personally or within their family. All products are Fair Trade and handcrafted from local, sustainable and/or recycled material. 

Using Fair Trade relationships, Daraja Imports is much more than just a trading partner. We strive to build a personal, mutual, and extensive relationship with the product creators in keeping all of the values of Daraja Imports at the forefront. When you purchase from Daraja Imports you know you have made a difference. As a Fair Trade business we make it easy for every consumer to make a difference in the lives and communities in East and Southern Africa. Many people have hopes and dreams, and together through Fair Trade business relationships we are helping the impoverished realize theirs. Every piece has a story and every purchase makes a difference.

Daraja Imports at NSRA with Avante Jewelry Ltd

Blog:AvanteMall

Avante Jewelry Ltd Recognizes Daraja Imports at NSRA

Avante Jewelry Ltd recognizes Daraja Imports at NSRA. Daraja Imports features fair trade handcrafts created by African artisans in East and South Africa.

DARAJA IMPORTS
/DAH-RAH-JAH/

“Every Piece Has A Story” 

While selling our handcrafted Avante Jewelry in the Women’s World at the NSRA, National Street Rod Association, car show in Louisville, Kentucky from August 6 to August 9, 2015, we had the opportunity to meet Marlene LaRue, a retail sales representative for Daraja Imports. Marlene’s booth was located across from us so we had the opportunity to get to learn about each other’s offerings.

Marlene set up a very attractive display of handcrafted pieces that were created individually by local artisans in East and South Africa. Daraja Imports helps to bridge the gap between Africans and the USA by partnering with local groups and organizations throughout Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland and South Africa.

Avante Jewelry Ltd Recognizes Daraja Imports at NSRA

Daraja Imports features many unique handcrafts that are made from local, sustainable and/or recycled materials:

• Jewelry
• Baskets
• Bowls
• Toys
• Apparel, Sandals and more…
  The handcrafts are made by different groups of enterprising men and rural women, many of whom are widows, a group of physically disabled Tanzanian people and young adults orphaned by genocide. These talented men and women create each unique piece as they learn, train and create a new edge to their beautiful and cultural art forms. They work together and form small businesses and co-ops as they handcraft their pieces.

Daraja Imports is located in the USA and is all about engaging in Fair Trade business partnerships with artisans to provide them a fair market in the USA. Through this developing partnership they make a difference as they help many impoverished people reach their hopes and dreams.

Visit www.DarajaImports.com for more information and to view their handcrafted offerings.  Daraja Imports – “Bridging the economic gap and empowering the poor.”  Contact Marlene at 980-213-1216 and SAVE 10% on the web site by entering the Code: MARLENENC

It was great to meet you, Marlene. We wish you the best in life and success in all you do for Daraja Imports.

Vickie & Mark – Avante Jewelry Ltd

Avante Jewelry Ltd recognizes Daraja Imports at NSRA

 

Making new friends at exhibits and shows simply can't be helped. It's just natural to reach forward and pick up one of these beautiful baskets or  jewelry.  You can almost feel the cultural richness and textures of life woven thru each piece, completely handcrafted and fairly traded. It's experiences such as this that make our company so unique.  We love sharing the stories of the artisans who create our products.  Meeting other businesses along the way creates great relationships. .. Daraja Imports

Eco-Friendly Artisan Jewelry from Zambia

Known as our Earth and Water Collection. 

Our Zambia Jewelry consists of handmade pieces crafted by Zambian artisans in the South Luangwa using organic materials originating from the African Bush.

Shop DarajaImports.com and make a difference.

View SALE! pieces in our Earth and Water Collection.

Made from freshwater pearls, abalone shell, driftwood beads, vegetable ivory seed and/or semi-precious stones.  These designs are elegant, edgy and contemporary.  We are excited to offer this collection.

Eco friendly jewelry means that each of the pieces we share with our shoppers is crafted by hand from green, natural, recycled and repurposed materials.

The other materials used are sustainably and ethically sourced. Feathers and driftwood wild teak are collected for jewelry use as is vegetable ivory (tagua) from local palm nuts. The abalone shell, antique silver beads, charms.

Zambia is also home to a thriving Asian community, predominantly of Indian and Chinese origin, numbering around 100,000, as well as a number of European expatriates, some of whom were invited to settle in Zambia by the local government having been cast off their farms in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

All this makes Zambia home to a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions and peoples, and Zambia is also widely-considered to be one of the friendliest and most welcoming nations in the world.

Visit our website DarajaImports.com and shop this wonderful collection.  FREE SHIPPING.

Southern Womens Show Charlotte NC

Daraja Imports - The Award Winning Exhibit at the Southern Women’s Show in Richmond VA.

This Weekend we will meet thousands of new and old friends at the Southern Womens Show in Charlotte NC.  Aug 28 - 30, 2015. Excitement is in the air with hundreds of new exhibits, activities and ideas.  Fashion, Food and Fun .. it doesn't get better.

 "We get excited about creating festive, entertaining and inspiring shows for you to enjoy with your family and friends. Our mission is to help you discover what you'll experience here, the real excitement begins when you arrive." Southern Womens Show

Experience the beauty and feel of Daraja Imports ™ at the Southern Women's Show in Charlotte this weekend Aug 28-30th.  Be sure to stop by our booth for a visit and check out all the show specials.

Check our calendar often and be sure to visit when we're near you.  Shop DarajaImports.com anytime. Click the red tab on the home page and get your Discount Code for savings.

Artisans Collection Empowers and Ripples ….

… From Opportunites to Realities.  

The Artisans' Collection is handcrafted jewelry made in a remote Maasai village in Northern Tanzania by a group of Maasai women.  The collection features the Empowerment Necklace and Earrings Set, shown below. There are over 100 women artisans involved in the entire Empowerment Project that consists of many designs.

The Artisans

 Shop Now $33 
Get Your Discount Code for additional Savings 

 "... a portion of their proceeds from our Empowerment Necklace is used for education, awareness and the creation of a safe environment for open discussion and the promotion of a woman’s choice in this matter..." 

The Artisans, a Maasai women's group in Tanzania  also makes home decor items dragonflies, baby angels, cone angels, garland, snowflakes, star-cicles, beaded Christmas trees, anklets, artisan earrings & trade bead necklaces.

“Girls in parts of Tanzania are often forced to undergo female genital mutilation, even though the practice is illegal. Faced with FGM, many had nowhere to turn - until now. A safe house has opened in the north of the country to offer protection when they need it most.” Read more on ‘The Cutting Season’  Linda Pressly BBC, Tanzania 

Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, is a cultural expectation still widely practiced in many areas of the world, including among the Maasai of East Africa.  Yes it is now illegal, however intense cultural and generational pressure from family and communities easily removes the young woman’s power of choice and many times it is violent.  Just getting to the safe house many times is the biggest obstacle. 

“Rhobi Samwelly is the co-ordinator of the safe house, funded by the Anglican Church and supported by other churches together with the local mosque. She raced against the clock to get everything ready before the arrival of the first teenager.”  Read more

At Daraja Imports™, we believe that every young woman should be given the knowledge she needs, as well as the permission required, to make an informed choice about this life-altering procedure. Toward that end, a portion of their proceeds from our EmpowermentNecklace is used for education, awareness and the creation of a safe environment for open discussion and the promotion of a woman’s choice in this matter. Thank you for partnering with us in this worthy endeavor.

The Artisans, a Tanzanian Maasai women’s group also makes our dragonflies, baby angels, cone angels, garland, snowflakes,star-cicles, beaded Christmas trees, anklets, artisan earrings & trade beadnecklaces.

Shop Online Now: Get Your Discount Code

Zulugrass Jewelry Makes a Difference

Zulugrass Jewelry?  How much Difference does it Make?

Stack Single Strands Wear Everywhere

Zulugrass Jewelry is available in long strands, multiple strands and as long single strands.  All very versatile, colorful, expressive, durable, waterproof and is just simply awesome.

And the story goes …"When one Kenyan woman heard of the opportunity to earn a living making Zulugrass jewelry, she pulled together enough money to travel a great distance to another East African village by bus to learn the trade.

Single Strands Wrapped as Anklets

She quickly became the highest producer of jewelry in the Maasai Tribe and asked the founders of the program to set up a training site in her area.

In doing so, the founders discovered that she owned a small store in her village, and that her customers had little or nothing.  She had never been able to turn her back on them… which meant she had many outstanding bills because of their debts. She made this financial investment in herself and her community so that her neighbors could not only afford to pay their debts, but they could also make a better life.

Wear Several Strands as Necklace

The workstation was a success!  Her neighbors paid their outstanding debts within two months. Less than a year later, she earned enough money to buy a plot of land in the town and build a larger store to accommodate the needs of the village.”  Leakey Foundation.

Quite a success story. And, the success is for many.

Zulugrass Single Strand

What Is Zulugrass?

As you would imagine, wild native grasses.  More of a nuisance it was previously burned because cattle will not graze on it.  Now, it’s a sustainable crop. Zulugrass is tubular and has a hole inside it, also hard and durable. Naturally dyed, the grass becomes almost luminous.

Wrap and Stack Single Strands

Beads are strung with elastic along with hand-blown Czech and Japanese glass beads.  They simply compliment one another. All Zulugrass jewelry is waterproof, colorfast, and long lasting.

When you think about the whole picture here, it’s a bridge.  Daraja Imports™ is continually excited about being part of building that bridge that closes the economic gap. 

Zulugrass Multi Strand Bracelet

Similar to the feeling you get when you enjoy wearing these Zulugrass strands, wrap, twist, stack, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, hair scrunchie – You just can’t help but recognize the connection you feel with these artisans.  Not only does their talent abound in their craftsmanship but they conduct themselves as professionals and business men and women supporting their families and communities.

Yes, Fair Trade Jewelry Makes A Difference!

Wrap Single Strands Long or Short

Discover how easy it is to have the confidence that you make a difference when you purchase from Daraja Imports™.  Because every piece does have a story.

Daraja Imports™ is a Fair Trade Company.

HOT and HERE! APRONS from MALAWI .. Everybody Wants One!

Thanks for Sharing! These Aprons are Wonderful and ON SALE this week at our store.  Seeing these beautiful fabrics more and more.  Fabric, Aprons, Fair Trade, Empowering the Artisans - it's a Win Win with great accomplishment. 

DarajaImports.com Each and every one was made by women in a Malawian sewing collective. These skilled seamstresses work together to improve the quality of life for each other and their families. When you buy one these aprons, you are helping to support the empowerment of Malawian women through engagement in sustainable work, education and long-term opportunities. 

This African fabric is lush 100% cotton with beautiful bright color wax prints.  

Be sure to check our online store often as inventory and patterns change frequently.  Sign up for our Mailing List and follow  us on your favorite social media to get the newest sales and discounts.

These aprons are special to begin with because they are handmade from start to finish. There may thus be some slight differences with the fabric design and final dimensions of the apron, making each apron truly unique.

Daraja Imports™ Builds the Bridge with Fair Trade

Daraja Imports™ spreads the meaning behind Fair Trade.

Fair Trade Artisan/Partner in Ghana

Fair trade is a growing movement to help low-income artisans in developing countries move towards economic self-sufficiency. It promotes sustainability on all levels and creates opportunities to alleviate poverty.

Artisans receive fair wages, education, financial and technical assistance, and have safe working conditions. Fair Trade organizations pre-pay for their products upfront, and work closely with the artisans on design and quality.

Handwoven in Ghana, these beautiful baskets are a great basket for a recycling bin or waste basket, storing magazines, kids toys or fruits and vegetables. 

Swazi Sisal Jewelry in South Africa

This fair trade handwoven jewelry is lovingly handcrafted by women in the mountains of Northern Swaziland. Only a select few weavers have the skill and talent to create this intricately woven miniature disk jewelry.  Woven from the sisal plant (in the Agave family), each fiber is harvested, dried, hand dyed, dried again, then rolled against the weaver's leg until the perfect thread is drawn out. It is then coil woven using a needle to create some of the finest weaving anywhere.

Shopping Fair Trade is a breath of fresh air.

Zulugrass Jewelry Helps Build a Bridge

Zulugrass helps cross the economic bridge.

Single Strang Necklace

Made in the bush of Kenya, Zulugrass jewelry was created to provide work opportunities for their Maasai neighbors. 

Long grasses are harvested one blade at a time, dried, cut to size, then dyed lovely hues.   See Multi Strand selections here.

This cultural  tradition of highly skilled beadwork dates back generations, Maasai women string the grass beads together with brilliant Czech crystals, creating attractive jewelry.  

An art form that now provides a much needed income and opportunity to themselves, their families, and their community.

Colors in the Classic Collection

Daraja Imports™ continues to strengthen their partnerships in East and South Africa to further bridge the economic gap and empower the poor to a sustainable level of living.

Long Grasses are harvested one at a time.

How Do You Recycle Tires?

ENDLESS WAYS TO RECYCLE  .. 

A TIRE ...

It would appear there are a multitude of practical and fun choices.

Even global choices..

Whether disposing - gathering - re-using - recycling - re-purposing - re re-purchasing -

Make the Fair, Safe and Green Choice.

We Wear Ours …

We've made it part of our Fair Trade with East African artisans.  There's just a great comfort knowing this purchase helps so many people, causes and our environment.

These Great Recycled Tire Sandals

FATHERS DAY SPECIAL $40 AND FREE SHIPPING

VISIT our Website.

Fair Trade is a global movement that addresses the injustices of conventional trade. Fairtrade, the most widely recognised ethical label in the world, makes it easy for you to figure out if your purchases are ethically produced.

These handmade black leather sandals are made in Tanzania by a group of enterprising, rural women, many of whom are widows.

They are handcrafted from fine leather, recycled tires and either a white or black trade bead. 

High quality leather is used for the inner sole, and recycled tire tread is used for the sole.  Good for another 20,000 miles!

All Daraja Imports products are Fair Trade and handcrafted in Eastern and Southern Africa from local, sustainable and/or recycled material.  

Purchase at Duraja Imports.

Your purchase of these cool flip flops guarantees you an awesome pair of footwear, and a chance to help recycle and change the lives of these underprivileged women and their families!

Sizes currently available are 8-12. If you wear a half size, order a size up.

SEE ALSO 

WOMEN'S BEADED SANDALS