This is the fifth anniversary of the formerly named Fair Trade Faire now officially The Global Marketplace. The event becomes more popular every year, as word gets passed around.

Many of us feel worn out by Christmas—often unable to enjoy the Season’s many lovely events, simply because we are too exhausted. This Marketplace will let you shop in a relaxed atmosphere, stop for a delicious lunch or cup of tea, and choose gifts with meaning. 

 This wonderful fair gives us a chance to find distinctive gifts from overseas countries for incredible prices—and to know we have been able to help struggling workers in desperate conditions. These people still do delicate, painstaking, meticulous work, and sell it for what to them are quite amazing prices. Anything sold in the Global Marketplace comes direct, through no middleman—so that what we are buying, exquisite though it may be, still seems so reasonable.
 
Three local ladies were instrumental in getting the Global Marketplace started in Penticton. One is Sue Mackay-Smith, well traveled as part of her work with the World Council of Churches and many other organizations she has supported over the years. Sandy Andres wanted to get this started in her local church after talking with others who had sponsored similar events in their own areas—mainly in Alberta. Jan Makar saw poverty at first hand when volunteering in a Refugee Camp in Hong Kong; and again when she traveled in the Ukraine. All wanted to start a project that would help the underprivileged and impoverished in many countries. The result was the Free Trade Faire—now Global Marketplace.
 
The Penticton United Church donates its hall each year for this worthy project. Booths, tables and stalls are set up, and each features materials from a variety of countries.
There are Teardrop Crafts, a variety of handmade crafts from small cooperatives in Central America and Asia. There are Guatemalan woven scarves, bags and clothing—high quality chenille hand sewn products, which support Mayan women. There are gorgeous handmade alpaca wool sweaters supporting women in Bolivia.  The list goes on. It’s well worth some of your time to view these treasures to find something different and meaningful for every one on your Christmas list.
 
A fine change for the young are the Canadian-made cooperative games for children. They come from Ontario and are a nice anecdote to the highly adversarial nature of almost all games today. Great family Christmas pastimes. Have a look at the Multifaith Calendars—from Vancouver. You can find books, cookbooks, posters, and puzzles.
 
Break your search with a visit to the Grannies’ Café. The SO GO Grannies, now renamed Grandmothers for Africa, will again be in charge of the Café. Coffee, tea, and snacks will b e served throughout the day, and yummy home baking sold! At lunchtime there will be soup-- homemade and vegetarian. And at the Information table, find out more of the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. It’s a cozy stop.
 
Don’t forget the date! Saturday November 3rd, from 10:00 A.M. till 3:00 P.M.—The Big Blue Church, 696 Main St.  It’s all about Fair Trade and meaningful gifts. What could be closer to the true Spirit of Christmas?   International and Canadian crafts, products, and food—you can feel content, knowing that as you buy, you are promoting social justice through your purchase of ethically produced products. And be sure to stock up on organically grown Coffee. If you must miss the fair you can still shop at the various “Ten Thousand Villages” stores through our area.

Dodi Morrison