This post is sponsored by Katie Darby, Compassionate Enterprenuer for Trades of Hope.

Empower Change, Where You Are!

Katie Darby, like many, is a busy mom. But when she asked herself, “Am I doing all that I can for those suffering around the world?” she wasn’t happy with her answer. The above quote served as the personal challenge for her to do more and become a Compassionate Entrepreneur with Trades of Hope.

Can you be the difference between a life of poverty and a life of HOPE?

Yes! There is a way to change lives, one accessory at a time.

Trades of Hope

Trades of Hope is a Christian company founded with the mission of empowering women and creating sustainable business for them in an effort to break the cycle of poverty. It was founded in 2010 to help women and children living in the slums, working in sweatshops, escaping the sex trade, and suffering in extreme poverty. Through Trades of Hope, women are able to provide food, healthcare, education, and clean water for their families. Women are empowered to change their story.

Trades of Hope partners with artisans from all over the world to help market and sell their products including jewelry, bags, scarves, stationary, and home goods. Trades of Hope practices fair trade principles. These women are paid 4-6 times more than what they would normally make in their own country. Trades of Hope also pays 100% of what the artisans ask which allows them to make a fair wage, take care of their families, and send their children to school. Trades of Hope is working hard to create long-term, sustainable business to empower these women to use their God-given talents to provide for their families. These women live in poverty due to a lack of opportunity rather than a lack of skill. 

In 2014, Trades of Hope helped employ over 6,500 artisans. That number is increasing all the time! They partner with artisan co-op groups in 16 different countries all across the world. Ninety percent of the artisan groups are Christian groups. Here, these women are given the tools and training necessary to give them economic hope. But they also take part in biblical counseling and bible studies and are being shown that while we are providing economic hope for them, Jesus provides eternal hope and there is nothing better than that!

Each and every one of the products comes with a special story. It shares how the women who made that particular piece are using the money from your purchase. You can find these stories online in the item description as well. Click on the YouTube video link to learn more about one of Katie’s favorite stories.

You can be the difference!

The accessories purchased through Trades of Hope can provide the necessities for thousands of women and their families. It is life changing. Here is how you can get involved!

1. Shop, wear, and share the story! Nothing is easier.

2. Host a party and spread the word! It will benefit you, too. You can earn hostess dollars and half-priced items.

3. Join, and become a Compassionate Entrepreneur like Katie. There are several benefits, but this is different than most jobs because you are changing the world.

What if YOU were the difference between a life of poverty and a life of HOPE?

Giveaway

Katie is giving away the Pure Love Bracelet.  These bracelets, created from cereal boxes and Haitian clay, are made by the artisan group in Haiti that refers to itself as the “Unorphanage” (as seen in the YouTube video above). 

Connect with Katie

Check out Katie’s website at www.mytradesofhope.com/katiedarby. You can shop at any time and your order will ship directly to you!

Katie is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TOHKatieDarby where you can find out more about any upcoming giveaways.

Katie can be found on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/TOHkatiedarby.

You can also email Katie with questions about how to get involved with Trades of Hope at [email protected].