In a world that runs on fast fashion, cheaply-made goods and single-use products, Hands Around the World provides a breath of fresh air through its dedication to fair trade and environmentally friendly practices. Located on Central Avenue, Hands Around the World is a staple of the Orange City community, as it has been in business for over 30 years and is entirely volunteer based. True to its name, the store features goods and art from artisans around the globe and offers local residents a chance to step out of their own culture and into the perspective of someone thousands of miles away. Every purchase supports sustainability and fair-trade markets.
Inside the store, one can find an assortment of goods and art, such as ceramics from Vietnam and South America, figurines from Peru, hand-woven items, tea and jewelry made from recycled materials. To obtain these items, Hands Around the World partners with artisans and farmers from different communities. This is a mutually beneficial relationship, as this gives the artists an opportunity to sell their products to a broader audience, and the Orange City community is able to better appreciate and support global trade and styles of craft from different cultures. Many of the artisans whose work is featured in the store are using their art to support their families back home or protect themselves from a life of dependency on others. According to Margo Vanderhill, store manager, Hands Around the World is also an outlet for female empowerment, as the female artisans are able to bring income to the family instead of getting married at an early age. All artists are compensated for their work, and since the store is a non-profit, all extra profit goes back to them.
In addition to providing a broader market, Hands Around the World also promotes sustainability by ascribing to fair-trade policies. Since many of the items found in store require plant-based materials, the creation of these goods can be very draining on the environment. To combat this, Hands Around the World gives supplies and money to grow the plants that communities need for their craft, so that they do not exhaust resources. Another example of this process is the store’s gift of solar lights to different communities that do not have electricity, so that they are able to work in the evening and use clean energy. This ensures enough resources for future artisans, and eliminates the difficult duality of working for a livable income at the expense of the environment, and instead allows them to create guilt-free art.
It is incredibly tempting to rely on Amazon, chain stores and fast fashion websites for daily needs. Businesses have made it easier than ever to buy goods, which is great for students with busy schedules; however, this convenience has a cost. When we pay less for clothing and luxury items, the people who actually make them lose more. Shopping sustainably, such as at stores like Hands Around the World, provides students with the opportunity to take care of the environment and help promote fair working conditions and equitable compensation for artisans. Supporting fair trade policies shows exploitative companies that consumers prefer human rights and environmental sustainability over convenience. Students can join in the mission of Hands Around the World by visiting their store, which allows them to experience the beauty of different cultures, as well as the beauty of protecting the earth and the people in it.
