Traidcraft launches Christmas video
UK fair trade organisation Traidcraft has created a Christmas video to encourage shoppers to consider buying fair trade during the festive season.
The video features uplifting footage of some of the families that Traidcraft works with from around the world. In particular, it follows the story of Crochet Bunny which is made on the streets of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City by disadvantaged women.
Having premiered on YouTube at the weekend, the video was made by Mai Handicrafts which was started by two social workers who were concerned about improving the lives of street children and single mothers in Ho Chi Minh City and ethnic minorities in mountain villages in Vietnam.
The 300 artisans associated with Mai Handicrafts, 80% of whom are women, are earning between US$50 and $70 a month in a country where the average monthly income is US$20-30. Many are able to work from their homes or in small workshops instead of seeking work in Vietnam’s factories.
Larry Bush, Traidcraft’s director of marketing, said: “The John Lewis advert cost £7million – ours cost £700 but is every bit as powerful on an emotional level. Much like the story in the John Lewis ad, Traidcraft’s work is all about connecting people – we help connect consumers in the UK with people in the developing world, like the Mai Handicraft team. Hopefully when people are buying their festive treats this Christmas, they will think about our film and decide to buy fair trade.”
To view the Traidcraft video go to https://youtu.be/1YV2mCyafvQ
