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Campbellton - Restigouche Valley Church is making a difference in the lives of artisans around the world by selling exquisite, handcrafted gifts and home décor. The event, to be held at Restigouche Valley Church, 9 Water St. on Friday, Oct. 17 from 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 am to 3 pm, offers an opportunity for citizens of Campbellton to make a difference by shopping fair trade. In its 20th year, the sale will showcase an assortment of musical instruments, pottery, jewellery, baskets, toys, crèches and hand loomed textiles.

Ankur Kala was started in 1982 by Annie Joseph. She was born into a well-to-do family in India and was inspired by working with Mother Theresa. Her experience at the ecumenical Taizé community in France was also foundational. Upon her return to India, she saw her country with new eyes and was appalled at the poverty around her. The cooperative's name means "a seedling of art". In Annie's words, each woman who comes for training is "a small seedling with the potential to become a great tree." The centre seeks to sow seeds of hope, dignity and self-confidence among oppressed and destitute women through economic empowerment.

Over a thousand have graduated since the centre opened. After a one-month trial period, women are put on six months probation during which they learn basic reading and writing. About 95 per cent stay on past this period. They receive a monthly stipend along with health and education money for their children. They are then trained in four basic areas: tailoring, catering, batik crafts, and pickling and jam making. Basic business skills are also taught. Ankur Kala is committed to working with a woman until she is able to be on her own. Some graduates begin their own small-scale businesses.

The group includes Christians, Muslims and Hindus. Everyone meets for prayer and meditation each morning, reciting prayers of blessing and protection that they have composed for themselves. Every month they hold an open house, during which graduates return to have tea, talk, sing, dance and pray with the community.

Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed, or underemployed. We provide vital, fair income to these Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This income helps pay for food, education, health care, and housing. Villages works with over 130 different artisans groups from more than 35 countries across the globe.

"By holding this sale, we're giving customers in Campbellton a chance to buy unique products while helping people in developing countries to meet basic needs for themselves and their family. Together we are making a difference," said Joel Gagnon, sale organizer, in a press release.

Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. Villages is a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. Villages is in its 62nd year of operation.

For more information on the Campbellton sale contact Joel Gagnon at 759-9398.