October is the month to recognize your support for ‘making a difference’ throughout the world by improving working conditions, ensuring adequate levels of pay, and supporting those who depend on every purchase to care for themselves and their families. 
The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) supports marginalized small producers, whether these are independent family businesses or those grouped in associations or co-operatives. It seeks “to enable them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.”
Being a member of WFTO is significant. To earn the right, the company has been carefully audited and meets all WFTO requirements therefore representing fair trade policy from production to sale.
Thumbprint Artifacts is proud to be the distributor for Kapula Candles and Ceramics, a member of the World Fair Trade Organization! Approximately 90% of the artisans at Kapula are women that would not have a form of employment if they could not use their artistic talents in the rural village of Bredasdorp, South Africa, where Kapula is located. 
The beautiful hand painted and hand poured candles are created in an environment of women singing and laughing while they work. They are fairly treated and fairly paid. Kris and I have witnessed this firsthand, however more importantly, Kapula has been recognized as a fair employer by the WFTO.
There are approximately 400 members of the WFTO located in 71 countries. Take time this month to appreciate the products that you see for sale by WFTO companies and know that with your purchase, you are ‘making a difference’.
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