Most projects start with a picture in a person’s mind of what they want to achieve, but others begin with a motivation to do something. Those projects that are founded on a motivation to serve have no destination in mind other than to satisfy the simple thirst within the heart.
No one sets out to be a forerunner – they just follow their heart and use their head and for Edna Ruth Byler, she was no different. She was living in Puerto Rico in 1946 with her husband working with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). They were there to help and they offered a number of programs to educate and encourage the local people. As their 3 year term came to a close, Edna began to think about how she could help the people of Puerto Rico after she left the island. She became intrigued by the beautiful embroidered table cloths, napkins and other crafts the women were making which featured their traditional designs. Upon leaving Puerto Rico, she bought a supply of their work for her friends back in America, unknowingly beginning a movement which would one day circle the earth.
Discovering The Model
When Edna and her husband got back to the US, they began selling the arts and crafts they had brought from the island. Soon they were contacting their friends in Puerto Rico for more products and eventually they contacted other MCC projects in other locations, for products as well. Edna was beginning to see how work for fair wages could transform a community, and as she communicated the impact people could have by selling these products, they began joining the cause. They started selling the crafts at community events, church bazaars, and even home parties. The sales of products doubled then quadrupled. I am not sure how it happened, but I can imagine that one day, with a garage full of boxes and the neighbours wondering what was going on, Edna realized that this work was bigger than she was – she needed help. MCC was the perfect candidate to take over the importing and managing of the day-to-day operations. The amazing growth the work had experienced produced many benefits, but not without its trials.
….Making THE Difference!
Entering a new chapter in the work’s growth produced new challenges that tested both their values and their determination. The main premise of “SelfHelp Crafts” was to partner with artisans to build the community by offering work for fair pay; however, large retail companies observed the demand for indigenous products. Their drive for profits caused problems in the communities in which MCC was working. They offered the artisans large orders and sometimes cancelled them if they thought trends in American had changed. Some promised huge orders but left the producers to figure out how they would finance the material costs and equipment and then never reordered. Most workers didn’t understand how they should price their work leaving them vulnerable to profiteers. In contrast, MCC viewed their work as a long term partnership in developing the community. They began lending up to 50% of the cost of their orders to the artisans and also taught workers about pricing. They further helped them to form cooperatives to assist artisans and to get export licenses. With every “good” there is potential for otherwise. On a few occasions, funds vanished with individuals, leaving workers with nothing. Once an entire shipment was destroyed in a boating accident, without which the community would have become bankrupt and all that had been built would have been lost. In the “business” of making a difference, it is times like these that make THE difference. MCC absorbed the losses, learned, and persisted in creating opportunities for people to work for fair pay in communities around the world.
Buying Fair Trade is Voting for Your Values
About this time someone coined the phrase“fair trade” as a description of what they were doing. As forerunners in fair trade, MCC had demonstrated the value and potential of treating workers justly and showed that a significant number of buyers cared about those values, too. Fair trade became a popular movement which spread notably to the coffee and chocolate industries. Speaking with your money is one of the most powerful ways to make a statement in support of your values.
SelfHelp Canada
In the early 1980s, Herman Neff reorganized the Canadian operation under the name “SelfHelp Crafts” and established its head office in New Hamburg. The generous support of several local businessmen firmly rooted the organization in the area at a time when other locations were being considered. Their help and the vision and support of thousands of people for fair trade have been some of MCC’s greatest assets. More than 2000 volunteers, many of them in the Waterloo Region, work to support the 50 retail stores across Canada. Sales have steadily grown to $18M in 2007 employing 110 full time staff. MCC workers in more than 30 countries mentor and assist the 120 artisan cooperatives that have been formed to employ more than 60,000 people. Of equal importance is the example that has been set, as MCC/SelfHelp has stood for justice and equality for workers and demonstrated to the world what can be accomplished by providing a means for people to support themselves and their families.
Fair Trade Towns
In 1996 “SelfHelp Crafts” became “Ten Thousand Villages” reflecting the objective of building communities through partnerships. Today, they are building on that premise by launching their new “Fair Trade Towns Campaign” which invites the participation of communities in 5 important ways. The campaign asks firstly for the support of community leaders including city council; secondly, the involvement of local businesses which offer fair trade products in their stores; thirdly, the engagement of groups who promote fair trade in their workplace, places of worship, and schools; fourthly, the support of local media; and fifthly, the development of a core group of fair trade enthusiasts who support ethical and sustainable initiatives within the community. This campaign has the power to transform our communities the way the opportunity to work for a fair pay has transformed hundreds of communities abroad. Shouldn’t our community be the first to support this campaign? If you believe it should, find out how you can help.
There are other ways to support the work of MCC and Ten Thousand Villages. Their stores in Waterloo Region are located at 80 King Street, South in Waterloo, and 65 Heritage Drive in New Hamburg. You can also make purchases from their web store at: www.tenthousandvillages.ca. Volunteers are always welcomed and there are opportunities to host events which feature fair trade merchandise. Contact the store nearest you for more details.
Send Your Ripple Of Hope Through The World!
Edna Ruth Byler was a forerunner but no one would have figured her as such at the time she began her work. Neither would they have imagined the passion her uncalculated actions would spark in people who caught her vision. She discovered the model, but many forerunners built the vision. Edna’s greatness was hidden in her sincere desire to help others. It was this that made her a candidate to ignite a bigger than self contribution to humanity. It was the seed which grew into a powerful force that sent, and is sending ripples of change and hope throughout the world. Edna’s life and that of thousands of her co-worker who followed their heart is an example to us that every one can make a difference.
I welcome your comments! Do you know a forerunner? Send us an email at:
paul@theforerunnerproject.com
Paul Weigel is the founder of the Forerunner Project, a non-profit corporation dedicated to research and education about forerunners. For more information on the Forerunner Project and its monthly Forerunner Inspire Film Series visit: www.theforerunnerproject.com
(c) Paul Weigel December, 2008
