Gift Ideas: Beautiful Fair Trade Goodness

This past Saturday, my dear friend Diana held a Fair Trade party at her house. She held one last year when I was pregnant with Lilly, and I was so excited to go to another one. Basically, a “Fair Trade party” is just a home party with vendors who are, well, fair trade. Haha! Pretty easy. Diana and I met the first time I went to Kenya back in 2011 and we bonded over the trip and have become good friends since. We both love Africa and we both love anything that helps support ministries and organizations that are doing amazing work on that continent.

I foolishly didn’t get a picture with her! UGH! I always forget. Anyway.

The two companies that were at the party on Saturday were companies that I am no stranger to, and if you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you are no stranger to them, either!

The first was The Mighty River Project. Diana was actually the one who first introduced me to them because she grew up with and has been lifelong friends with Erin, the founder. Erin and her husband Scott founded TMRP when they first returned from long-term missions in Uganda. It’s an organization that partners with artisans directly in Uganda to provide a source of income for them, medical coverage, and support for their families. TMRP aims to keep families together and help prevent them from being separated and furthering the epidemic of orphans in Uganda.

They do amazing work. I have heard and seen firsthand what they are doing there and I can’t say enough good things about TMRP. I have been a donor of the organization since I learned about it and I actually sponsor their textile artisan, Rita!

I wanted to show you some of the beautiful stuff Erin and Scott brought to the party:

I have SO. MANY. of these woven baskets. They are my favorite. You may recognize them from Lilly’s nursery. They come in small, medium, large, and there are even extra large trays. I am OBSESSED with them. My problem is not buying ALL of the baskets. 

They also make magazine bead jewelry like necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I have a few necklaces that I wear all the time!

And here are some of the textiles that my girl, Rita, makes! Beautiful bags and aprons. I actually bought my first apron at the party on Saturday and I’ve worn it to cook in every day since!

The other company there was Sseko Designs. I have talked about Sseko on social media few times, but Sseko is another amazing company that’s working to provide opportunities for women to earn a living that goes directly towards their education. It’s an amazing company! 

They had the famous Sseko sandals there. I LOVE them. They’re just gorgeous. 
And then beautiful bags and scarves. That black infinity scarf on the right is just stunning and so cozy.
I just wanted to share a little bit about both companies because I can’t say enough good things about them and I can’t tell you how much I love what these people are doing. If you’re looking for gift ideas for people… gift ideas that are beautiful, unique, handmade, special, and the proceeds to go AMAZING causes… then look no further than The Mighty River Project and Sseko Designs.

This is not a sponsored post. As always, I only write about and share with y’all companies that I truly love and adore!