First Media Recognition - WFTD

We are grateful to the UB Post newspaper who were the first to recognise and publish information about World Fair Trade Day in Mongolia.

Post WFTD - Looking Back

Mary and Martha Celebrations

We celebrated WFTD by extending it to 3 days, giving a sense of before , now and after.  We were well publicised to the Expatriate community through Mongolian Buuz, the British Business Group and IWAM (International Women's Association of Mongolia).  We had a small mention online by the UB Post.  We 're grateful for all the support we received.

We broke out the summer uniforms only to have the temperature drop to below zero and for snow to fall for quite a long part of the day.

Far warmer down below in the Basement Shop

During the day the daughter of one of our artisans dressed in Traditional Kazakh clothes and demonstrated Kazakh Embroidering for may interested customers.

And at the end of the three day celebrations more than USD 3000 worth of products had been sold to very happy customers.

We just wish our motto could become a reality -


MAKE EVERY DAY A FAIR TRADE DAY

Start of the Celebrations WFTD

World Fair Trade Day 12th May.

May 11, 12, 13 - come browse our shop, learn more about Fair Trade in Mongolia and the activities of Mary & Martha.

AND the more you buy the more you support our Artisans as we reorder to replace stock.

AND the more you buy the more opportunity you have of winning one of our Hand Crafted gifts - 1 voucher for every 10,000 MNT spent.

AND this weekend is going to be cold in the countryside so why not head for the cosy Mary
& Martha Basement

AND tell your friends in other countries that we export all over.  Check out:

https://picasaweb.google.com/117802745582336312169

Thank you for supporting Mary & Martha

SEE YOU IN THE BASEMENT, next to Cafe Amsterdam.

World Fair Trade Day 2012

Fair Trade will be celebrated on 12 May 2012 in diverse places and cultures across the globe. Various events are organized in more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Pacific Rim. Leading the celebration are members of the World Fair Trade Organizations (WFTO) that have pioneered Fair Trade for more than five decades.

The World Fair Trade Day is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) that takes place on 12 May 2012. It is a worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and the economic crisis that has the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations. A third of the world’s population lives on less than two dollars a day. The global crisis confirms the need for a fair and sustainable economy locally and globally. Trade must benefit the most vulnerable and deliver sustainable livelihoods by developing opportunities for small and disadvantaged producers. Millions of producers and traders, business and policy makers, supporting organizations and volunteers have contributed to the substantial growth of Fair Trade.

Fair Trade makes a change. Fair Trade Organizations are pioneers and change makers.

Fair Trade producers, their organizations, local and international marketing organizations, exporters, importers, wholesalers, retailers, volunteers and citizens will celebrate Fair Trade in diverse events worldwide. On the frontlines are women, indigenous peoples, artisans, farmers and workers, who give testimony of the benefit of Fair Trade in their lives, a good reason to go out and celebrate World Fair Trade Day. … Full statement can be found at www.WFTDay.com

Mongolia, Mary & Martha and Fair Trade. 

Mary & Martha Mongolia is the only Fair Trade Registered organisation in Mongolia. M+M became a member of WFTO in January 2011 after demonstrating 3 year’s of business following the 10 Fair Trade Principles (See http://www.wfto.com).  M+M focuses on helping Mongolian citizens develop they micro and small businesses into larger sustainable businesses. The focus is on high quality Hand Crafted products in Silk, Felt, Embroidered Materials, Leather, Hand Knitted products in exotic yarns, Yak and Camel Yarn direct from the Herders, a wide range of Jewellery as well as Recycled Materials.  M+M works with over 120 artisans represented by 21 Cooperatives, NGO Projects, Companies and Individuals from over 7 Aimags in Mongolia.

Mary & Martha form long term relationships with artisans, developing their business skills, improving their product design and showing them more effective ways of making their products. M+M sells Artisan’s products in UB and exports to over 9 countries around the world.  M+M give orders to artisans all year round and buy all products on delivery – our artisans do not have to wait for products to sell before they are paid as is the normal practice for most shops in Mongolia.  Artisans working with M+M for more than 4 years have seen their businesses grow at least ten fold and all have seen their life situations change positively.

Currently M+M are supporting the UN initiative of 2012 “International Year of Cooperatives” – representing Cooperatives from Arkhangai, Tov and Selenge Aimags.