The United Nations (UN) has declared, December 20, International Human Solidarity Day, and at no point in my lifetime has this meant more, than now. With The Maker World, we've embarked on a journey that fits directly into the solidarity movement.
Our intent is strongly aligned with the UN's 8th Sustainable Development Goal of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth (i.e. employment and decent work for all). By using the internet's global reach, we are bringing, to new markets and conscious buyers, the hidden talents and treasures of micro and small business makers from around the world.
These are master makers who are managing to stay afloat despite the flood of mass produced, cheaper product alternatives in their markets. We know, with your support and purchases and our commitment to paying fair market value, that these businesses can keep more than just afloat, actually thriving. These types of conscious practices are a key to generating employment, developing skills, and diminishing income inequality. Solidarity, therefore, to us, is about building a more equitable global community of conscious and passionate makers, marketers, and buyers.
The reason why The Maker World came into being is to help curb the effects of a large number of underemployed and underpaid peoples and the world's "relentless pace toward automation." We were compelled to find ways to expand the way micro and small business makers sell their quality goods, paying them fair market value for their work, and thereby generate a real hope for the trades to be passed on to future generations, as a viable means of earning a decent living.
In our travels, we come across people who perceive the problem of taking their industry forward to the next generation. It is a struggle for the children to believe in these crafts and trades as viable to making a good living. They see their parents struggling. They see the diminishing profits, the competition, the struggle to make sales. And they see the other side, the few that go to school and may be get a decent job; a consistent, income. But the negative impact of trades being lost and diminishing or underpaying jobs are a reality new generations are facing.
When we think about the numbers they are astounding. The UN reports that "470 million jobs are needed globally for new entrants to the labour market between 2016 and 2030."
It really takes a village to meet these global needs for our future generations; a real challenge that needs to be faced through Human Solidarity and awareness from retailers, customers, and makers. The Maker World, has chosen to step up to the plate as a conscious business that pays fair market value, contributes back to makers and their communities, and gives customers excellent quality goods and an opportunity to contribute through their purchase for this effort.
Together we can be a part of changing the following daunting realities, one purchase or share at a time:
Let's create a world where people trade fairly, where we are not always looking for the bargain, at the expense and hardship to the makers. Let's counter the relentless pace toward automation by keeping people working for decent earnings, autonomous living, and respectful livelihoods.
In the image below you can observe the numerous business impacts and people that work to make a single industry possible. Each branch below represents a different contributor to creating leather handbags. A buyer who purchases from a small handbag-maker business in a small community, activates this intricate thread of small business impact and maker impact alive. Larger mass-producers are able to automate several of these processes, reducing the impact. For example, they use machines to cut leather, rather than using specialized hand cutters. A skill that provides a decent living from the a leather goods business.
Now that's solidarity, with a great potential to attain a more equitable and shared prosperity.
Thanks for joining us in supporting job maintenance and job creation, by investing and sharing from fair trade businesses and makers.
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The Maker World aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and preserving maker trades, slow fashion style. To that end, a minimum of 10% of our sales revenue goes to incentivizing new talent, providing tools, education, training, support, and apprenticing for individual makers or maker communities. This year you've contributed to the fulfillment of a dream and entrepreneurial incubation of clothing designer, natural talent, and single mother Leidy Johanna Meneses from Barichara, Colombia. We've mentored, advised, and provided entrepreneurial and financial support for her to fulfill her first clothing collection launch.
She's now selling this collection in her hometown and is available to design custom styles by contacting her on Facebook page, @WonderfulladyDesigns. She's now equipped with ability and know-how on how to build her own custom-design business. Your support has made this possible and together we thank you for contributing to sustainable livelihoods, and skills development and preservation.
In commemoration of International Mountain Day we honor Ana Felicia, Cooking Ceramics Maker...
When I met Ana Felicia in 2016, her beautiful #Maker demeanor shone through like a breath of fresh air. She was ready to show us her stock of pots, pans, skillets, and plates. The 85 year old Alfarera works squatting on a stool, on top of a wooden surface and solely by hand without a pottery wheel. Just manipulation of clay, water, patience, love, and skills. She's the last of a generation of #ceramicsmakers that kept her region's mountain families cooking in one of the most natural and ancient ways: #handmadepottery