|
Why was the organization formed?
Mandy’s Purses & Other Great Things is an organization that seeks to assist small Vietnamese craft producers to develop their business and find market opportunities. The organization was started to generate income for poor and marginalized people. The approach is to teach new skills, design new products, help organize products, provide micro credit, providing business training and finding markets for producers that are having difficulty promoting their items. Our aim is to provide producers with the skills needed to create practical, high quality products, and to adapt to market changes.
How are producer groups chosen?
All groups with which Mandy’s Purses & Other Great Things works meet basic criteria such as fair wages, environmental and employee safety. We do not work with state-owed factories or joint venture organizations because these groups already have access to market opportunities. We work as closely as possible with the producers who actually produce the handicrafts.
What are some examples of Mandy’s Purses & Other Great Things producers?
Three of the groups that have emerged are in remote areas. They create traditional weaving and embroidery skills to produce items for sale. Another group is Hanoi street children and disadvantaged women. We travel to other remote areas to purchase traditional products from villagers who have few income generating opportunists. We also develop our own products and utilize Fair Trade practices for production.
How can you become a link to Mandy’s Purses & Other Great Things?
The first way is to purchase handicraft products at trade shows, catalog, our web site and other distribution channels. We engage in retail and whole sale. A second way is to tell others about our products and vision.
|