Most of us these days are aware of how the third world countries are on the brink of disaster. Children who have parents who are making about one dollar per day for the whole family to survive on are doomed to a life of poverty and sickness for sure. However, those companies who are socially aware have been buying up sustainable products and handmade bags etc to ensure that those poor artisans get a living wage for the work that they do.

In these third world countries, where women are very much second class citizens for sure, it is often left up to the women to feed and school the children. Men succumb to the demon drink most times to drown the sorrows of this very poor life. But life must go on for the upcoming children for sure and it is these that the women strive to keep well until they reach adulthood.

They are very clever artisans who use trades and industries that have been passed down to them through the generations to at least make small money every day from tourist outlets in their particular countries. However, as is always the way, it is the middle men who make the bulk of the profit leaving the women with as little as a dollar a day to make ends meet.

First world country companies, having realized this, have started to import goods from these women, and the groups that they form, directly thereby cutting out these middle men. This means that the women get more for the work that they produce and the kids have a better life all around.

For us, the consumer, it also allows us to contribute, in a roundabout way, to kids who may otherwise be left to starve for most of the time. Indeed, this is probably a better way to donate to those families since very often any donations made to charities get swallowed up by administration charges. This helps no one of course so getting a bracelet or pair of shoes in exchange for a small amount of money will ensure that the third world family benefit from our goodwill.

These people also take recycling to its utmost since they often use things that would otherwise be discarded. Old tires are used to make soles for shoes and hides, from sustainable sources, are used to cover diaries and journals. With the beautiful decorations that they have become adept at making, the whole object takes on a new life which looks nothing like the original materials used.

Indeed, things like African art, or art from South America have become very much appreciated in the past decade or so and people like the idea of having something beautiful from far off places adorning their homes.

For those who want to try this out, try looking up fair trade companies online to see what kind of goods that they have on offer. Everyone is usually surprised at what they find there and often keep going back to make purchases for many years to come.

Author Bio: Ellie Lewis recently purchased a couple of handmade bags for her daughters. She ordered some sustainable products online to give as gifts.

Category: Business
Keywords: handmade bags,sustainable products