SERRV International

Creating an economic relationship between producers and consumers that provides dignity for both is a driving principle of SERRV International. Since 1949, SERRV has been promoting economic and social progress for people in marginalized communities around the world by:

* marketing their handcrafts and food products in a just and direct manner;

* educating consumers in the USA about economic development and other cultures; and

* providing development assistance to low-income craftspeople through their community-based organizations.

"In fifteen years we have grown from a group of insecure women huddled together to the present group of 150 determined women looking up confidently to face the challenges of the world," reports Ms. Johny Joseph of Creative Handicrafts in India. "When you buy a product that we make, you are offering a day’s meal to one of the women’s families."

This economic relationship based on dignity also involves the consumers, who receive high quality products which are often made using traditional or indigenous skills, and who are assured that their money is being spent in a way that honors their values. SERRV International sells these products, including gifts, housewares, Christmas items, musical instruments, chocolate, coffee, and more, through a variety of channels: the SERRV website, a retail catalog, Fair Trade stores throughout the country, and local church sales.

SERRV works with churches of all denominations and non-profit groups to offer them an opportunity to bring these beautiful crafts and food items into their own neighborhoods by holding sales in their communities. Based in New Windsor, Maryland, and Madison, Wisconsin, SERRV has staff and materials that can assist groups in planning and carrying out a sale. Small rural parishes, large urban congregations, student groups and others organize bazaars, holiday sales, alternative gift markets and other celebrations.

Established in the aftermath of World War II by the Church of the Brethren, SERRV first worked with refugees of that war. Its name reflects those roots and stands for Sales Exchange for Refugee Rehabilitation Vocation. Since its founding, the mission has expanded to provide a market for low income artisans and small farmers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and other countries who are looking for a way to support their families with dignity.

SERRV now has relationships with more than 80 producer groups in over 30 countries. In addition to paying producer groups half of each order amount at the time of placing the order so the groups have working capital, SERRV also provides development assistance. Elgin Saha, Executive Director of HEED in Bangladesh, one of SERRV’s producer partners, calls SERRV the "bridge builder" for its development work. "The input that SERRV provides us by sending a product consultant to share the taste and trends of the Western market helps to make a successful bridge between the poor producers here and the customer of the West."

A Fair (or Alternative) Trade "code of conduct" developed by the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), whose membership includes SERRV International and 150 other Alternative Trade Organizations in 30 countries, includes such principles as:

* commitment to fair pay to producers for their labor;

* transparency and long-term relationships with producer groups;

* employee involvement in decisions;

* reasonable working conditions in the local context;

* equal opportunities for women;

* no exploitation of children;

* concern for the environment; and

* respect for cultural identity.

SERRV follows this set of internationally-accepted principles and practices that are designed to improve the livelihood of people in developing regions of the world and in low-income communities in the United States.

Fair Trade makes a difference in people’s lives. It makes a difference to the women of Creative Handicrafts in India, to the artisans of HEED in Bangladesh, and to thousands of other artisans and farmers in low-income communities around the world who are able to market their products through SERRV International and other Fair Trade organizations. And Fair Trade makes a difference to customers in the U.S. as it allows us to live out our Christian and humanitarian values.

For more information on SERRV, ordering from the catalog or organizing a SERRV handicraft sale, visit their website: www.serrv.org, or call 1-888-243-4423.