When you travel, everyone can shop to do good. The idea came to me during my travels abroad. Is it possible to change a life, by being mindful of where you shop and who you buy from when you travel? You better believe it is. For me that is the definition of traveling and shopping to do good.
Through the years, I have met some amazing people, including artisans who create beautiful hand crafted clothing, bags, household goods, art and jewelry. I love buying items from the women’s co-ops who are educating their children and building communities from the bead work and clothing they make and sell. They are talented and creative. They use raw and recycled materials and infuse color into their products. Prices are good and it just feels extra good when you empower a community in this way.
Eastern Cape Women’s Co-op
Eastern Cape South Africa Artisan makes bags made of recycled material
Grace Amey Obeng, Founder of non profit GAOFI host Artisans during Expo
Hearing the stories and sharing these hidden treasures and out of the way places to shop with my travelers is another way to travel responsibly and support sustainable tourism. I always make it a point to include in the itinerary an opportunity shop at local craft stores and markets. It empowers the community by contributing to the local economy.
Local Artisans showcase their goods at the Ghana Craft Market
Choosing from the wide array of quality products from individual artisans, women’s co-op groups and small enterprises around the world is part of the fun. The good news is that there also corporations who understand the meaning of social enterprise and social responsibility. Understanding how businesses connect their brand to social causes that impact our local and global communities, should make all of us think about how and where we spend our money.
Beautiful African decorative pieces at GAOFI/CEIBIS Women’s Summit Expo
We are committed to sharing the work of the artisans we meet on our travels – Prices are phenomenal!
Please know that all items shown are FOR SALE
If you see something you simply must have……Contact Us.
