About
OVERVIEW
Founder's story
PJT is an initiative of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It sprouted from a handful of people who visited Peru through the Presbyterian Hunger Program's Joining Hands Network and developed lifelong relationships with their Peruvian friends. They began returning from Peru with their friends' handcrafts to sell to their churches, family, and friends. In just a few years, thanks to a growing, compassionate volunteer base, these partnerships have blossomed into a non-profit organization that sells Peruvian Fair Trade handcrafts and produces educational materials on Fair Trade.
PJT has facilitated the growth of over 15 artisan groups to include more than 200 artisans through the NGO in Peru, Bridge of Hope. The fair wage the artisans receive enables them to provide food, shelter, and medicine for their families, educate their children, and reclaim and assert their economic, political, and social rights.
Our mission
Partners for Just Trade is a non-profit, Christian organization that builds partnerships between artisans living in extreme poverty and conscientious consumers. We address root causes of poverty through Fair Trade craft sales, education, solidarity, and a commitment to trade justice.
These equitable trading partnerships foster:
1) Creating, expanding and sustaining sales and economic opportunities for fairly-traded goods produced by marginalized people;
2) Educating consumers on issues of justice and social responsibility surrounding global trade;
3) Educating artisans on issues of quality production, economic development, democratic and cooperative management, small business development and environmental responsibility;
4) Respecting the traditions and cultural identity of all God's people.
Our philosophy
The vision of Partners for Just Trade embodies equitable trading partnerships based on a shared vision of abundant life with social and economic justice.
The types of products we sell
Fair Trade Handmade Products from Peru
Where the producers live and work
PJT works with Peruvian artisans who live in poverty (defined as less than $3 per person per day in a family) or extreme poverty (less than $1 per day), and with groups who have a minimum of five people from different families. We use democratic principles and practice transparency to ensure that working conditions are safe and dignified, and that the artisans have a say in how our products are created and sold. The artisan group sets its prices, manages the money, decides when to pay its members and when to invest in materials, and is responsible for all aspects of production, from accepting the order to quality control. Not only does this mean that all members sense a joint responsibility for the group, it also means they learn skills from each other in math, communication, and every member understands the financial situation of their group.
Projects we support
How we select what we sell
What makes us unique
More information about us
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