Welcome to our little bubble of the world. Gaznik is a very small business that has only just begun trading with a strong ethical policy at its core. Environmental policy
We aim to keep our environmental impact to a minimum. We recycle as much as possible, especially packing materials. Our electricity is supplied from green energy and all office work is done on recycled paper and kept to a minimum
. Where possible all products needed to run a market stall are eco-friendly or recycled. Our short term goal is to use the most eco-friendly vehicle that is available within our budget. Is it possible to make a difference in the world? By putting all our energy into opening up a market stall and creating a platform to offer fantastic products that have an ethical background, be it traded fairly or locally produced, we believe it is. However, it all has to begin with you, our customers; we hope that you will support us, in making a change to the world and help combat poverty with trade. Our products and goods are purchased from wholesalers that personally vet their suppliers to ensure that they do not use child labour, dangerous working practices and of course pay a fair price for their goods. We believe that the best way to reduce poverty is through trade. Gaznik seeks to support marginalized small producers and aims to help workers move from income insecurity to becoming economically self-sufficient. The manufacture of goods for our customers generates income and enriches the quality of life for the local community. Our main wholesaler is a none profit organisation that makes donations to social projects around the world. They are connected with the suppliers that make the goods and have a longstanding relationship with the people involved. Over the years they have donated too many projects in areas that are poor by Western standards. These are some of their most significant donations;
Bali
Since 2007, they have been funding a project for disabled people in Bali. The project provides a minibus to take children and adults to their centre, where they have lessons including craft making, and yoga. They have also donated funds to build another day centre in the district of Bangli, which was entirely paid for by them. To learn more about this amazing project, visit; www.kupukupufoundation.org
Guatemala
Since 2005, they have helped fund three schools. There help has enabled local communities to build safe, permanent school buildings. This has led to an increase in the number of pupils able to attend school and provided a facility for the whole community. Thailand
They have donated over £12,000 to the Ban Rom Sai Orphanage to date. The orphanage is in northern Thailand, and provides a home to 30 children, including some who contracted HIV at birth. HIV still carries a heavy stigma in this part of the world and the home aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children, and helps them find a skill they are good at and enjoy. To learn more, visit; www.banromsai.org
Green Tara Trust in Nepal
The Green Tara Trust is working to improve maternal healthcare in rural Nepal. Sadly, in this area many pregnant women and babies are adversely affected by a lack of the healthcare we in the West take for granted. In 2010 they gave money to this project to pay the wages of the three Nepalese health-workers for 10 months. To find out more about this vital project, visit; www.greentaratrust.com
The wholesaler also gives money towards supporting the activities of the Triratna Buddhist Community, which was founded in 1967 with the aim of helping people in the West gain access to the Buddhas’ teaching. To learn more about the Triratna Buddhist Community, visit; www.thebuddhistcentre.com
Funds go towards the provision of urban Buddhist Centres and rural Retreat Centres. These aim to make the teachings of the Buddha. They also provide classes in yoga, tai chi, stress reduction and meditation for those not directly interested in Buddhism. (Reg: charity no: 1098979)
The Freedom Fund
Our other wholesaler pays for English lessons to their workers. Visit; www.aw-freedom.com for more information.
