Below is an excerpt from an email I received about the fair trade artisan shop Lucia’s Boutique.  This is the shop of a Patterson Alumni in Lexington who sells fair trade artisanal products from Guatemala.  Right now, she is raising money to help the artisans and others who were affected by the tropical storm Agatha.  Many of the artisans that she promotes lost not only the materials and tools to create their products, but also many personal items in their homes due to flooding and other disasters that have plagued the area in the past few weeks.  If you are interested in participating in the relief efforts in Guatemala, visiting Lucia’s shop and purchasing some items or donating money is a great way to make a real difference in the lives of some of those whose lives have been devastated by the destruction of the storm!
Lucia’s Boutique Hours
M-Sat: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 1-5pm
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Fair Trade Day Update

World Fair Trade Day Engaged Over 50,000 People at More Than 200 Events!

N. America’s largest Fair Trade event increased awareness of Fair Trade, and its benefits for producers, in many creative ways this May.

Scores of media articles covered WFTD events, educating tens of thousands of more people about Fair Trade, and the opportunities it offers marginalized producers around the world. World Fair Trade Day was celebrated by hundreds of thousands of people in over 60 countries from May 1-15, 2010.
Extending Our Fundraiser to June 16th
10% of our sales are going to artisans in Palopo.
All our Guatemalan items are 15% OFF.

We would like to thank everybody who helped us raise some money for our artisans in Guatemala. We are truly appreciative all of your support.

With your help, we spent the weekend buying clothing and basic necessities to send to Guatemala with Eduardo.

He will travel by boat today to deliver aid and to visit the artisans. The road to San Antonio is still closed.

A Special Thank You to Michaela Goralski, who has raised $1250 in our efforts to help our artisans rebuild. She had the opportunity to meet our  artisans in San Antonio during her Spring Break this year.

The Pictures above are from Vanessa’s Journey of the Heart – taken in San Antonio Palopo.

Article Headline
Devastation From Agatha
I received an email from Macario’s son describing their experience. He said  that the river next to their house was overflowing into their house and they could not escape until the force of the water broke open the door, this allowed the water to rush out and for them to escape.They quickly ran upstairs on the roof when  they heard the awful noise of the mudslide coming towards them. It washed away their Dad’s loom, the bracelets that their mother was making, their corn, beans and firewood and the contents of their home.They are living at their grandmother’s house and they are afraid to go back to their house. One of the walls is not stable. Geraldo, my godson is anxious and fears the sound of the rain now.

Our ceramicists not only lost about $4000 in equipment, molds and metal roofing but contents in their homes.

I just spoke with Eduardo and he said he ran into Florentina, the woman who makes our friendship bracelets and she told him that they lost all their threads and materials. He gave her $250 to buy new materials. Your kind donations can help our artisans rebuild after this devastating storm. Thanks.
Fair Trade Gifts for Dads
Did you know that you can find great Fair Trade Gifts for Dads at Lucia’s?  Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Equal Exchange – Organic, Fair Trade Coffee
2. Guatemalan Jade Letter Opener
3. Guatemalan Espresso, Coffee, Beer Cups
4. Equal Exchange Chocolate
5. Handmade Leather Card Holder
6. Divine Chocolate
7. Bike Parts Card Holder
About Lucia’s
Our mission is to empower and enrich the lives of family farmers and artisans around the world by providing you with affordable Fair Trade items and superior customer service.

Lucia’s Boutique is Lexington’s only dedicated fair trade store
selling and educating about Fair Trade since 2007.
Teresa & Eduardo | Lucia’s World Friendly Boutique | 523 E. High St. | Lexington, Ky 40502 | 859.389.9337