Imagine how you would feel if you had no sustainable way to ensure your family ate a meal each day. What would it be like knowing you or someone you love would have to make the unthinkable decision to turn to prostitution so that she could provide for her family?
How would you feel if you were in such dire need because of poverty and then had an encounter with someone who offered you a legitimate way to make a living wage to support your family? At last, you could leave the world of prostitution or other forms of modern-day slavery. You would finally have hope and a future.
Unfortunately, there are millions of people all over the world living in poverty. Some do turn to prostitution or a life of crime just to survive. Or, they are forced into modern-day slavery through bonded labor or sexual exploitation.
Thankfully, organizations have been formed to help address the need to lift people out of poverty and a life of slavery. Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) has a division called WorldCrafts that allows people to earn a living wage.
The WorldCrafts mission is this: “WorldCrafts develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world.” Their vision is “to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.”
WorldCrafts works with artisan groups worldwide to accomplish its mission and vision. They began with one artisan group in 1996. Now there are artisan groups in 23 countries, including the United States.
People who are a part of these artisan groups learn skills to make products that can be sold. These artisans earn a fair living wage, and the products they make are produced ethically and are environmentally sustainable. WorldCrafts is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
Some of the artisans’ products are jewelry, purses and bags, home decor items, and stationery. The products are high quality and make wonderful gifts. When you purchase a WorldCrafts product, you can know you are making a difference in someone’s life. The artisans receive payment for every piece they produce, whether it sells or not. Having a consistent living wage allows the artisans to escape modern-day slavery or a life of crime. They can finally support their family with dignity.
The missionaries that lead each artisan group also share the Gospel with the artisans. This means the artisans get to live free and have the opportunity to accept Christ and live free in Him.
Supporting WorldCrafts is a meaningful way to impact the life of someone else. Your generous support allows the artisan groups to obtain the supplies they need to make their products. And, it gives the missionaries the ability to have more Gospel conversations with the artisans.
Here are six ways that you can support WorldCrafts:
Praying for WorldCrafts artisans using monthly calendars found on the website, worldcrafts.org.
Purchasing a product from the WorldCrafts website.
Setting up a WorldCrafts display at a special event in your church.
Creating a WorldCrafts market and inviting others to shop.
Teaching people in your church about WorldCrafts.
Hosting an offering to raise funds for WorldCrafts.