Sau Sau - the accountant of Handicraft Cooperative:'' When I saw those foreigners and Hong Kong people were so satisfied with our bags, I have the confidence and I am sure that my attitude will change. I have made the decision that I have to do it well (Fair Trade) with you regardless how difficult it is!''

China Shanxi Puzhou Farmers' Association - Red Thread Handicraft Workshop is a relatively successful example of cooperative. It aims for passing down the society's cultural heritage, improving people's quality and cohesion, and organizing cooperative. It was formed by a lady called '' Zheng Bing''. She found that the producers were so ignorance, so she wholeheartedly formed it to teach those producers. However, in the early stage, the workshop was very problematic and faced a lot of challenges.

Until 2005, Fair Circle was introduced to the Red Thread Handicraft Workshop. After several field visits, Fair Circle made the decision to cooperate with the workshop. In order to introduce the ideas and management model of fair trade to the workshop members, Fair Circle has operated some training courses. Those courses are useful to facilitate the members practicing the ideas of fair trade, such as cooperation with each other, the producers can receive a reasonable return from their effort and the concept of sustainable development. Moreover, Fair Circle will discuss with the members about the design of the products and provide the technical assist. With the efforts from the Fair Circle and the members, the cooperative has developed very well.

Since 2006, Fair Circle has purchased over 20,000 pieces of their products and the cooperative has built up sustainable trading partners in and outside China throughout the years.  Women who participated in the initial phase have now become the management leaders of the cooperatives, assuring design, quality and management to reach the market standard.

Shanxi Red Thread Handicraft Cooperative -Producers' Stories
New Attitude - Sau Sau (Recorded in 2007.5.12 Fair Trade Carnival)

Sau Sau is one of the producers from Shanxi that having the chance to represent the Shanxi Red Thread Handicraft Cooperative to join the ''World Fair Trade Day'' 's celebration in Hong Kong - 5.12 Carnival.

Staying with her several days, I found that Sau Sau is a pragmatic and silence woman. She did not like to express herself but at the last day she has to leave, she suddenly said to me: ''Through this chance (5.12 Carnival), I start to know that people really love the products we made! Before that, I really can't believe it is true. When I was making the small bag in workshop, I worked with doubt so I was very negative because I thought no one would like my old fashion bags! When I saw those foreigners and Hong Kong people were so satisfied with our bags, I have the confidence and I am sure that my attitude will change. I have made the decision that I have to do it well (Fair Trade) with you regardless how difficult it is!'' After hearing the words from quiet Sau Sau, I was so excited that why a Carnival could make her felt so touching and to make a firm promise!

At that day, I took her to shopping. I hoped she could get some new ideas from the fabric products and know more about the consumer preferences. She seriously analyzed those fashion products. Although the price level in Hong Kong for her is extremely high, she still bought a hand-made small doll key ornament for the purpose of reference. I can really see pure passion from her.

MORE TO READ: Other Stories from Red Thread Handicraft Workshop