Here at Juggling Real Food and Real Life we talk about food a lot.  I have told my story of discovering how the processed food I was eating was damaging my body and in turn damaging my quality of life.  Eating a variety of real food is important to our bodies.  I will never waiver on that point.  However, I’ve also come to know more clearly that access to food is not the same for everyone.  While you and I debate whether quinoa or brown rice is healthier, some mothers around the world cry themselves to sleep at night wondering where they will find the next meal to feed their children. 

 

Poverty exists.  Here in the United States we work hard to feed those that are not able to feed themselves due to poverty.  There are lots of outlets for folks to be able to be provided with food.  It’s not a perfect system, but lets assume that we at least do an ok job with feeding our hungry.  I  I don’t want to turn this into a political discussion.  I want a discussion about human dignity.  I don’t feel like I was put on this earth to look out for just my own well being.  I feel the need to help others. 

Not all countries are like the United States.  There are places in the world where women and their children have nothing.  Nothing.  No place to live, nothing to eat on a regular basis, and no education or means to change their current situation.  These women don’t want charity.  They want a job.  They want to have the change to lift their families out of poverty and bring their communities along with them. 

Thanks to my friend Shelby, whom I have known since I was in middle school, I was introduced to Trades of Hope.  On the surface they are a company that encourages home parties to sell pretty things.  Shelby shared with me that they are all of that and indeed…………so much more. 

 

Trades of Hope purchases products from artisans all around the world.  These are beautiful products made by hand including jewelry, scarves, journals, and home décor.  Compassionate Entrepreneurs work to share their stories of hope and through a very dignified partnership, both the compassionate entrepreneurs and the artisans are able to benefit financially.  Trades of Hope talks about a “ripple effect.”  The more that the CEs (short for compassionate entrepreneurs) tell the story of Trades of Hope and their partnership with artisans around the world, the more they can empower women to make meaningful change for their families. 

[bctt tweet=”Lifting women out of poverty one purchase at a time with Trades of Hope.” username=”jugglngrealfood”]

 

 

I was so moved by what I heard that I just knew that I had to join the team.  You know that I am busy juggling real food and real life on a regular basis.  I am constantly struggling to keep up with my kids, full time job, and even this blog.  Why add something else to the mix?  The simple answer…….because I have to help.  I can’t look into the face of poverty and ignore it.  I can’t tuck my children into bed knowing that another mother is worrying about her children literally starving to death.  There are orphans around the world that have parents.  They are given over to orphanages as a last desperate act to keep them alive.  They are called poverty orphans.  I cried when I heard their stories. 

How can you help? If empowering women out of poverty, sweatshops, and the sex trade is something that your heart feels moved to help, I invite you to follow my Trades of Hope Facebook page, check out my Trades of Hope website, and join me on March 31st for a Facebook party in my special VIP group where you can check out the Trades of Hope products and purchase your favorites knowing that your purchase helps women around the world to have a job and lift their family out of poverty.  I’ll also keep a link in the sidebar of this blog so that you can shop at any time.  In addition to sharing great recipes, helpful nutrition information, and tips on getting more done each day, I look forward to sharing stories of hope with you on a regular basis.  Together we can change the world.