I’ve nothing against the use of mass produced Chinese beads for jewelry making. But, when you consider the conditions workers endure, and the pittance they are paid for their work, those hefty discounts you get on cheap imports don’t seem quite as appealing. And that’s partly the reason I’ve become a little more conscientious when buying beads online. Now, I only buy Recycled glass beads from online retailers who have strong rapports with co-operatives in Ghana. Here are three reasons why.
1. Co-operatives Are Micro-managed By Not-For-Profit Organizations
Non-profit making organizations, such as Bead For Life, operate as middlemen between bead-making co-operatives in Ghana and online retailers. This ensures bead-makers are paid a fair market price for their Recycled glass beads, and that they are not exploited by unscrupulous international traders.
2. Sustainable Incomes Mean Better Healthcare
It’s no secret that diseases such as HIV, Aids and Malaria are rife in Ghana. Unfortunately, many areas are so poverty stricken, villagers cannot even afford basic healthcare. In buying Recycled glass beads from Ghana, you are essentially helping artisans to maintain a sustainable income, thus allowing them to access better healthcare, pain medication and treatment for these, and other conditions.
3. A Growing Economy Means Better Prospects For Future Generations
The state of a region or country’s economy can have a marked impact upon the standard of education and healthcare afforded to its people. And while bead-making is only one of many economies in Ghana, its continued growth has already helped to transform quality of teaching and resources available in schools in the Manya region. Access to education has long been limited to those who can afford school fees. However, there are a growing number of schools now receiving funding from the state, enabling even the poorest children to gain some sort of an education.
