GoodWeave Child Labor Free Rug Certification Label
You know how much I adore things that are made by hand. If I find something made by a child, it means even more to me. Except when that child is actually working in a factory 18 hours a day for no pay, little food and no education. So I want to take this opportunity to share with you a campaign by GoodWeave, an organization that rescues children from the rug looms in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, rehabilitates them and supports their education through the age of 18. It is a spectacular organization.
Stand With Sanju is a new awareness campaign about the plight of children in the rug industry in South Asia and how we can help them get their futures back. All we need to do is make sure the rugs we purchase have the GoodWeave-certified label.
The GoodWeave label (pictured left) is part of a certification program for rug exporters and importers. Companies participating in the program agree to manufacture rugs without the use of child labor. They allow GoodWeave inspectors to conduct unannounced visits. In return, their rugs may carry the certified label, each of which is numbered and can be tracked through the entire export, import and distribution process. Licensing fees go directly back into GoodWeave’s inspection and education programs.
GoodWeave has reduced the number of children working on the rug looms by 75%, from 1 million to 250,000 today. Those are staggering results, but we can’t stop there.
Sanju is a real girl who was rescued from a rug manufacturer and now lives happily at home and attends school. Please watch her story and share it, using the hashtag #StandWithSanju. To support GoodWeave’s ongoing work, you can make a donation here.
Weekend Market Picks
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Abingdon Square Greenmarket: I haven’t written about my old market for a while. We used to come here every Saturday to pick up our favorite foods and treats for the week, catch up with neighbors and visit with our farmers. The thing that makes these smaller neighborhood markets wonderful is that everyone is so relaxed. They don’t have the excitement of Union Square. Rather, they have a magical, routine calm that everyone there has been waiting for all week long. 8AM – 2PM, Hudson Street and West 12th Street, Manhattan
Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church Harlem Street Fair: This church itself was built in 1906, and it is quite a sight to see. I have not been to any of their events, but this street fair taking place alongside Mt. Morris Park West Park sounds like the perfect setting for shopping, strolling and snacking. 122nd Street between Lenox Avenue and Mt. Morris Park West, Manhattan
Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5, 2014
Crafts at Lincoln Center: Now that the fall Crafts on Columbus is a thing of the past, I expect this season’s Crafts at Lincoln Center to be filled with even more outstanding American craft artisans. Make sure you take time to explore every row of artisans’ tents on both sides of this beautiful event. I wrote about several amazing vendors at the spring event. Saturday 11AM – 8:30PM, Sunday 10AM – 6:30PM, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan
Greenpoint Open Studios: Bring your walking shoes to this amazing art event. Step inside the creative worlds of dozens of artists in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn as painters, sculptors, printers photographers, and jewelry makers open their studios for weekend visitors. Saturday 12 – 6PM, Sunday 12PM – 6PM, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Wellness Market: Since the launch of this market earlier this year, it has consistently featured vendors who support a healthy, organic lifestyle. You will find delicious vegan food and mocktails. You will also find vintage clothing, natural body products and handmade crafts. There are special activities for kids too! 11AM – 6PM, 143 Waverly Avenue at the corner of Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Chelsea Down To Earth Farmers Market: After it opened this summer, the market instantly became a part of the neighborhood it serves. Set up on the sidewalks of 23rd Street, this pristine farmers market brings gorgeous locally produced fruits, veggies, prepared foods, flowers, proteins, dairy and baked goods to this surprisingly underserved part of the city. 9AM – 5PM, Sidewalk on north side of 23rd Street, east of 9th Avenue. Manhattan
Grub Street Food Festival: I look forward to this event every year because of all the food I get to eat. It is also a great place to see people sharing, savoring and talking about every sweet or savory dish they’ve tried. This year, 75+ of New York’s most exciting food entrepreneurs will be serving up their best fare. Here’s a story about one of the vendors that you should definitely find when you go, Taste of Persia NYC. Sponsored by the Hester Street Fair and New York Magazine. 11AM – 5PM, Corner of Hester and Essex Streets, Manhattan
Kew Gardens Community Arts Day: This event is a day to see art, make art and buy art. It is also a day for neighbors in Kew Gardens to get to know one another. There will be activities and music throughout the day and over 20 local artists, artisans and designers selling their creations. It looks like this event takes place throughout the neighborhood. 11AM – 5PM, Kew Gardens, Queens
~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City
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