Sustainable Schwag
Living Routes is being invited to more and more conferences and study abroad fairs where "schwag" is abundant. Schwag refers to all manner of logoed merchandise that companies give away to promote "brand recognition." We didn't want to be left out of the game, but also didn't want to give away plastic junk (e.g., keychains, pens, water bottles) that only add to the global waste stream.
We thought about corn-based pens, sustainability-themed word magnets, and fabric passport holders, but nothing felt right. Then it dawned on us that there may be items produced within the ecovillages we work with that we could share with others.
I sent an email in April of 2007 to all our Program Directors and hit the jackpot with Upasana Design Studio, a "unit" or business within Auroville, that produces beautiful clothes using sustainable and fair traded Indian fabrics. After the tsunami in 2004, members of Upasana began working with women in nearby coastal villages and together developed the Tsunamika doll. According to their website,
Nearly 480 fisherwomen from 6 villages are trained and from them around 180 ladies are now creating these little dolls called Tsunamika. She has been hand-made from fabrics left over from other creative works in Upasana. The project team, who trained the ladies, now supplies them with raw materials to continue producing the dolls. All dolls produced are bought from them in bulk and are gifted unconditionally worldwide by Upasana.
They are quite beautiful and unique.
We have donated and received several thousand Tsunamika dolls, to which we attach a small bookmark (made out of 100% recycled paper) that has information about the Tsunamika project as well as Living Routes. They have been incredibly popular at conferences and events and we love giving them away because they support a great organization doing really valuable village development work, and connect people to Auroville, which is a natural lead-in to talk about all our programs.
I had the privilege in February, 2008 to visit with some of the village women involved in this project and actually learn how to make a Tsunamika doll.
I was incredibly impressed with the integrity of this project and the positive impact it has had on so many women.
More recently, Upasana has developed what they call Small Step Bags, which (1) prevent dumping of plastic bags, (2) provide meaningful work for local women, and (3) educate about environmental issues.
We are proud to have recently donated to support the creation of 750 bags, of which 500 have a Living Routes logo on the backside (the other 250 were left with Upasana to donate as they see fit).
While all of this started from our commitment to walk our talk, it has evolved into some beautiful relationships with some amazing individuals and organizations. Please come find us at one of our public events and pick up a Tsunamika doll or Small Step bag for yourself!
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Posted by: Daniel Greenberg on Apr 14, 08 | 6:26 pm
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