A craft show currently in Thompson is not only helping Thompson, but also developing countries. Ten Thousand Villages, which started in 1946, is a way for Canadians to work with artisans from all over the world to help sell their pieces. “It always targeted countries that had a lot of poverty and needed a market for their products. Especially for small entrepreneurs who had the ability to do things, but couldn’t sell it in the bigger market where they lived,” says Bea Shantz, a volunteer for the event.
Shantz has been volunteering in Thompson with Ten Thousand Villages since 1989. She says because of the need, the festival sale is now being offered through out the week as well as the weekend. “That has helped to provide the opportunity for customers to shop at their convenience.”
Not only are the festival sales selling artisans’ products, Ten Thousand Villages also takes consideration into their family needs, too, says Shantz. “When Ten Thousand Villages talks with the artisans they talk about fair pricing. They talk about their necessities being covered like food, clothing, housing, children’s care and medicine. Then the artisan is then given 50 per cent first when the order is placed. This gives them money to buy the materials.” After the pieces are made and shipped, the other 50 per cent is given to them.
Shantz says sales fluctuate, depending on the year, and the desire from customers. “Our sales vary from year to year. Some years it’s $10,000 to $14,000. A number of years we’ve seen $20,000 worth of sales.”
Items at the festival sale range from chocolates to jewelry, fashion to Christmas decorations and everything else in between.
Ten Thousand Villages has opened stores all throughout Canada and are continuously working with different artisans. Festival sales like this one happen to promote the stores, and the idea of buying internationally to help others. Shantz says by purchasing a piece at this festival sale the customer will also be helping Thompson. “When you buy from Ten Thousand Villages you are supporting people in third world countries, where poverty is rampant. It gives them a fair living. Also they allow us to save 10 per cent of total sales here to use for expenses. After that is paid then that money is used to help programs in town.”
This year Ten Thousand Villages will be contributing to the Wapanohk Community School breakfast program, as well as the Rotary splash pad.
Shantz says in pervious years they’ve donated money to the homeless shelter, the women’s crisis centre, the Boys & Girls Club, and many others.
The festival sale continues until Nov. 22. It’s being held at the Lutheran United Church at 52 Caribou Road. Doors open during the week at 2 p.m. and they’re open until 8 p.m. Saturday the festival will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
