Minute for Mission

Partners for Just Trade, is a non-profit organization that blossomed from the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s Joining Hands work in Peru.  Partners for Just Trade, or PJT, was formed to help the artisans of the Joining Hands project in Peru, Bridge of Hope, market their products here in the States and educate the public about Fair Trade.  Fair Trade not only pays the farmer or artisan a fair price for their product but is also a holistic approach to trade and encourages gender equality, provides healthy and safe work conditions, and builds long-term relationships with the producers.  In a nutshell, Fair Trade provides stability in the lives of the impoverished peoples of Peru who experienced years of bloodshed and terrorism from the Shining Path.

I’d like you to take a moment to think about the last clothing item that you purchased.  Do you know where it was made or what the conditions were like for the person who stitched it together?  Was his or her pay enough to put food on the table? 

When you purchase a PJT product, you know exactly where it’s coming from and that your purchase is making a positive impact on an artisan’s life.  Through each sale, we are building sustainable global partnerships with and reinvesting profits into our programmatic work. 

Thanks to the dedication of compassionate Presbyterian volunteers, who originally lugged the Peruvian goods back in their suitcases, PJT sales reached $125,000 last year, and our Partnership consignment boxes were sold in presbyteries, meetings, conferences, and over 50 Presbyterian churches throughout the country.  We have facilitated the growth for Bridge of Hope to include over 20 artisan groups and 230 artisans and we hope to continue increasing sales to include.

I ask that you support this Presbyterian initiative and show solidarity with our Peruvian brothers and sisters.  You can support PJT by purchasing products at the upcoming Partnership Sale, purchasing our products, or making a tax-deductible donation. Please read the bulletin insert for more information on how to support us.  Thank you for inviting me to speak this morning.