Welcome to the Sankofa newsletter.

In this Issue

	Welcome
	Sankofa News!
	Sabahar Silk from Ethiopia
	Lanka Kade Wooden Toys from Sri Lanka

In Other News

Where to find us:

• Visit us at the Suzuki Night Market (Queen Victoria Market) - Wednesday nights 5.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
  
• Visit us at the Globe to Globe World Music Festival - Namitjiri Park, Clayton South January 26 & 27 (Saturday and Sunday)

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Welcome

Welcome to the inaugural Sankofa newsletter (and thanks for signing up to receive it)!

Don’t worry we don’t intend to bombard you with emails every week – the plan is to send out a newsletter every 6 weeks or so to let you know about any new products, featured suppliers, up-coming events and anything else that we feel compelled to share with you!

Don't forget to let your friends know about Sankofa - just click on the 'Pass it On' button on the left-hand side of this newsletter to forward it to them.

Many thanks - Kym Pointon

Sankofa News!

The story so far ….. we started trading in November 2007 - with the launch of our on-line store, and stalls at the Suzuki Night Market (selling children’s toys and clothing) and fair trade markets in Singleton (NSW) and at Borderlands Community Co-op (Melbourne) where we’ve sold a broader range of our products. 

So far, so good … we’ve had a great response to our products and there’s been a lot of support for our fair trade practices.

What’s happening next …. 2008 is already shaping as a big year for Sankofa with plans to open a shop of the ‘bricks and mortar’ variety to complement our on-line store … that’ll make us ‘clicks and mortar’!  So … if anyone has any suggestions for a Melbourne location (or knows of a lease coming up), we’re all ears - shoot us an email (info@sankofa.com.au) – we’re after a spot where the demographic is supportive of fair trade and appreciates the beauty of handmade products (maybe North Melbourne, North Fitzroy or Fitzroy?).

Sabahar Silk from Ethiopia

We are very excited to have recently received our first order of Ethiopian silk products from our newest fair trade supplier – Sabahar based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

We have two types of silk shawls available – 100% eri silk – these shawls are made from raw silk and a slightly more open weave than our 65% mulberry silk and 35% eri silk shawls which are a finer weave – both styles are a large 70cm x 200cm. These shawls are luxurious and stylish – great for those cool summer evenings.

CLICK HERE to see our Sabahar silk shawls

About Sabahar
Silk production is relatively new for Ethiopia (starting in 2001)and Sabahar has developed a range of beautiful hand-woven silk products that includes shawls, cushions, throws, and table linen.

All products are made using traditional methods of weaving and spinning and only natural dyes are used – made from flowers, roots, berries and bark.

Sabahar was established in 2004 and its primary aim is to create positive employment opportunities for Ethiopians – particularly women. Sabahar supports rural cocoon producers and weaver's co-operatives ensuring fair trade principals are applied throughout the supply chain. They also strive for their production processes to be environmentally sustainable.
 

Lanka Kade Wooden Toys from Sri Lanka

Those of you who’ve visited us at the Suzuki Night Market will have seen our range of Lanka Kade wooden toys ... well, now they’re available on-line as well.

In the January/February issue of Ethical Consumer (a UK magazine), Lanka Kade was rated as the top ethical toy company in a comparison of 51 toy brands. Lanka Kade not only wins on a fair trade front but also on the environmental score. So… what does all this mean? Lanka Kade products are fun, educational, fair trade, and environmentally friendly – I think that’s what’s called a win-win win-win situation!

CLICK HERE to view our Lanka Kade range

About Lanka Kade?
Since 1994, Lanka Kade (UK) have been supporting seven families in Sri Lanka who produce their great range of fun and educational children’s toys and gifts.

The founders have lived in Sri Lanka and formed long term relationships with the families who make their products – their aim was to provide long term employment for each supplier and their workers.

Since 2001, Lanka Kade (UK) has been accredited by BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) as a fair trade supplier. Many of Lanka Kade’s products are made from rubber wood sourced from exhausted rubber plantations that are replanted every 10-15 years.

If you’d like to learn more about Lanka Kade (UK) check out their website www.lankakade.co.uk.