Published: November 02, 2009 09:52 pm      

Craft fair at IUS goes on through today

Students, staff and community members are coming to Indiana University Southeast to shop with a purpose — helping those in other countries as well as benefiting students who want to study abroad.

The Wares of the World: A Fair Trade Market — which started Monday and continues through 7 p.m. today — features handmade items from countries all around the world through the program Ten Thousand Villages, an organization which seeks to make sure artisans are paid a fair wage for their labor.

This has become an annual event at IUS, one where all proceeds taken in by the school go toward scholarships to help fund study-abroad trips.

“[Students who study abroad] get to learn more about a culture and I think that makes them more employable, because they can talk about and discuss other cultures,” said Frank Wadsworth, coordinator of international studies.

Larry Lingross said his English class is studying the effects of slave trade.

“It’s neat coming here and seeing stuff that’s not made in slavery,” Lingross said as he shopped.

“I just think it’s cool. They have so many different items and the jewelry is gorgeous,” Kelly Marshall said as she picked up a teal necklace to take a closer look. “Plus it’s handcrafted, which means no one else is going to have it.”

“It’s such beautiful artwork ... and a lot of time goes into it; they should definitely be able to make a profit,” 19-year-old Melissa Lamanna said about the artists.

The sale is managed by volunteers and IUS staff members.

“I’m interested in international culture and I think this is just a great project from begging to end,” said Vickie Mann, a student volunteer. “These people are going to get a good price for their labor. It’s awesome.”

Items include baskets, musical instruments, Christmas tree ornaments, jewelry and more. Prices vary.

Ten Thousand Villages works with more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries. For more information or to purchase online, go to www.tenthousandvillages.com