Opinion: Buy ethically sourced gifts this Christmas

Global Village Gifts in Logan is the perfect place to get unique, ethically sourced gifts this holiday season.   

The store — built through the dedication of a socially conscious 71-year-old woman named Sally Keller — is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, and is currently the only fair-trade non-profit store in Utah, according to store assistant Victoria Johnson. 

As members of the FTF, GVG pays artisans in third-world countries fair price for the products they make, according to Johnson. Most corporations that run for a profit purchase their products at the lowest price, which is harmful to the artisans. 

“Our goal is to help these artisans provide for their families and improve their future rather than endure unemployment and substandard living conditions,” Johnson said.  

 Fair trade organizations — such as GVG — strive for economic success in developing countries, said Johnson. They do this by working with middlemen between them and the artisans.  

 “All artisans that work with our vendors get paid for their goods regardless of us selling them, Johnson said. “This system of commerce ensures that artisans who are economically and socially vulnerable are still remunerated for their services.”  

 The items inside of the store often have a story attached to them.   

 “This gives the consumer a different type of interaction between the goods and where it originated from,” Johnson said.  

 According to Johnson, many of the products sold at GVG are made by women — who are often the sole supporter in these countries.  

 “By purchasing merchandise at Global Village Gifts, you are contributing to better the lives of underprivileged artisan families in Asia, Africa and South and Central America,” Johnson said.  

 GVG started in 2003 under the umbrella of Ten Thousand Villages but separated in 2005 and became the registered nonprofit association they are now. Sally Keller put in over a decade of work to get GVG to where it is at today.  

 According to Johnson, her efforts began by working to bring an extension of the alternative gift market to Logan’s First Presbyterian Church.  

 “The annual event continued on for years with enthusiasm,” Johnson said. “The reaction of the public became obvious: there was a demand for fair trade products to be offered throughout the year.” 

 Johnson said Keller made efforts to open a seasonal fair-trade store, which would be open throughout the year around major holidays.  

 “The store was created with two purposes in mind: to offer the public fair-trade products and to educate on the mission of fair trade,” Johnson said. 

 According to Johnson, volunteers ran GVG for the first nine years. 

 “From the beginning, volunteers dedicated their time and talents in any way possible to get the store up and running as a viable business,” Johnson said.  

 Many of GVG’s volunteers and board members have travelled all around because of their passion for helping others.  

 “For several volunteers, GVG is a way to connect with the community while being surrounded by beautiful items from all over the world,” Johnson said.  

 Students looking for ways to get involved as well as gain an education on these topics can volunteer with GVG. Though volunteering isn’t the only way someone can contribute to this cause.  

 “We strongly encourage the community to engage with the store,” Johnson said, “whether it’s through coming in and asking more about principles of fair trade, purchasing items, donating or volunteering their time at the store.” 

 Those interested in volunteering can check out their website at http://www.globalvillagegifts.org/ or contact the store at 435-713-4347 and volunteers.gvg@gmail.com  

Clarissa Casper is a sophomore studying journalism and aquatic science at Utah State University. Outside of writing for the Statesman, she loves to hike, write poetry and watch whales.    
— clarissa.casper@usu.edu