Friends of the Third World is a nonprofit, volunteer group concerned with the root causes of poverty, which leads to a diverse set of activities and interests. They especially try to work with and provide organizational assistance to cooperatives in areas of political and economic crisis, wherever that may be in the world.

The following are examples of current Craft Partners in areas of crisis:

OLIVE TREE WOOD PRODUCTS For generations, Palestinians in the West Bank (where the city of Bethlehem is located) have grown olive trees for the annual yield of olives and olive oil, as well as for raw material for specialty wood products. Palestinian artists have sold olive wood crafts through shops for decades, with the primary income for these families coming through tourists who purchase the products while visiting the area on religious pilgrimages. The crafts sold through Friends of the Third World are made by individuals who are not directly involved in the conflict between Jewish and Muslim fighters. These artisans are Christians who only hope the violence will stop so that the tourists will return and they can market their products. For the moment we have been able to continue to receive their crafts.

THE PEOPLE'S MARKET/CRISPAZ Crispaz is a faith-based organization founded in 1984 to promote partnerships with "the church of the poor" in marginalized villages in El Salvador. It currently supports 100 artisans in two cooperatives; Jesus Obrero and Semilla de Dios. Crafts include brightly painted jewelry, wooden decorations, weavings, and household accessories. Investment needed $100.00

HALIMA HANDICRAFTS Halima is a new women's organization in Mohammadpur, Bangladesh. They produce traditional jute crafts, angel ornaments, plant hangers, and wall hangings. They need a first customer within the United States. Investment needed $575.00.

REHAB CRAFTS Rehab Crafts now has three workshops in Cambodia providing training and employment for disabled persons, in particular land mine victims. Rehab was founded by a man from New Zealand in 1989, and has been managed as a self- supporting project since 1999 by individuals who have been trained by the project. They produce silk accessories such as purses made with hand-dyed and woven silk , as well as backpacks and leather crafts from sheepskin, in women's cooperatives rural Cambodia . Investment needed $500.00.

BRIGHT ARROWS is a project started by a British woman and now is operated by women who produce cotton dolls, travel bags, purses, hair barrettes, cushion covers, black pottery, coconut shell utensils and bowls, silk ties and cute little clay and palm ornaments. Its based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Investment requested $300.

ARTESANAS CAMPESINAS is a new women's jewelry making cooperative located in a former convent in the silver capital of Taxco, Mexico. They produce some of the finest earrings, necklaces, bracelets etc. using semi-precious stones and silver. Investment requested is $356.00.

PRESCRAFT was started by the Presbyterian church in Cameroon, Africa. Artists in remote villages produce traditional brass figures, professional quality traditional ethnic drums, shakers, rattles, and flutes in addition to carved masks and pottery. Investment needed $900.00

FAPAM The Federation of Paraguayan Artisans for Alternative Marketing was founded in 1970 by Father Hopwood. The project, now managed by local women, produces silver filigree jewelry, applique wall hangings and purses, and cedar nativity sets. The project desperately needs a market as the value of local money is subject to run-away inflation. Investment needed $400.00

For additional information on the diverse programs of Friends of the Third World please contact:

Jim Goetsch
611 West Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Telephone 219-422-6821
Fax number 219-422-1650
E-Mail fotw@igc.org
Internet: www.friendsofthethirdworld.org