Store in Grayslake an ethical endeavor

from the Lake County News Sun

Ten Thousand Villages recognized by Forbes magazine

By JUDY MASTERSON

GRAYSLAKE -- One of the most ethical companies in the world is doing business here.

Ten Thousand Villages, which sells handmade gifts, jewelry and home decor crafted by Third World artisans, was recognized earlier this month for its fair trade and sustainable economic and environmental practices by Forbes magazine and the Ethisphere Institute.

The shop at 960 Harris Road, Grayslake, is one of 150 nonprofit Ten Thousand Villages retail stores across the United States. Founded 62 years ago by the Mennonites, the company establishes long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans lack economic opportunity. It practices fair-trade compensation practices including cash advances and prompt payments.

"We get to know our artisans on a deeper level -- culturally, socially and emotionally," said Kim Vander Yacht, the Grayslake shop's assistant manager. "We work with them to come to agreement on a fair wage for the products they produce. They tend to undervalue their items. They have no idea what they're worth in the U.S. or Canada."

The company gives its craftspeople 50 percent of payment up front to help finance production. It also pays for shipping. Villages shops keep overhead low with the help of a volunteer work force. The Grayslake shop runs on the efforts of people like Myke Cardosi of Grayslake, a retired credit union vice president.

"I wanted to give back to the world I had taken from for so many years," Cardosi said. "A gift item from Ten Thousand Villages is a gift that gives twice. It's a gift that also helps someone in the world feed their kids, clothe them, educate them, put a roof over their head. We're helping people we've never met but who we know are living in very destitute conditions."

Popular and affordable sale items include those made of recycled newspapers from the Philippines and Vietnam. Artisans wrap sheets of newspaper around single broomstick straws then coil them to make trivets, picture frames, placemats and bowls.

The shop also sells necklaces made out of a seed from a rare tree in Kenya. The seeds, which may only be harvested every other year, are dried then strung on cord made of recycled automobile tires. "Fish" rocks from Vietnam, which bear the imprint of the artisan's thumb, and that are popular choices for paper weights and aquarium decor, are also hot sellers.

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