Print Issue: November 28, 2002

'Work Of Human Hands' Sale At IHM Assists Low-Income Craftsmen From Around The World

ATLANTA - Immaculate Heart of Mary School will sponsor a "Work of Human Hands" sale of handcrafted items from around the world on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. as part of its Advent Festival.

Catholic Relief Services' Work of Human Hands program, in partnership with SERRV International (formerly Sales Exchange Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation International) offers hope and self-reliance by purchasing and marketing handmade, high quality products crafted by low-income men and women around the world who struggle to support their families. The program, which has been in existence for 50 years, helps individuals receive a fair wage for their hard work through the promotion of more just trading relationships.

Carmen Graciaa, a middle school religion teacher, said this is the third year that the sale has been held at IHM as a service project, and that it is one of the eighth grade's projects for this year. Students helped pick out items to order for the sale and will set up and sell the merchandise. The teacher said they have ordered popular items from past years, including nativity sets, ornaments, jewelry, toys and kitchen items, as well as new items. Last year they sold over $1,400 in merchandise.

"We try to provide a fair market for their products and hopefully raise awareness that there are people in this world trying to make a decent living and unfortunately some people take advantage of them," Graciaa said.

Craftspeople in the developing world work long hours for less than a dollar per day to produce goods for the wealthy nations. Profits are earned by brokers, importers, retailers and others who pay low wages, but charge high prices. The program is able to offer its products at competitive prices because it cuts out the middleman. The items are bought directly from small cooperatives where decent working conditions and adequate pay for the artisans are top priorities, and the program returns a substantial amount of the retail price to producers, as opposed to the process with for-profit retailers who send back just a fraction of that amount.

Graciaa said that there is no cost to IHM to hold a sale, and that she hopes other schools and churches will consider hosting them throughout the year. "There's really no cost involved in planning it. It's a matter of time and effort. I think they're trying to get a lot of parishes and schools involved," she said. "I just want to try to sell as much as I can because it will be helpful to them."

During the morning sale shoppers may also visit the school's bake sale and Secret Santa Shop for kids, and children can make crafts. For information on the sale at IHM, contact Graciaa at (404) 636-4488 or cgraciaa@ihmschool.org.