Your Chance to Help End Child Labor and Win a Great Rug
By: Cassandra Clifford
Note: This post reflects the views of the author, not those of the Foreign Policy Association. The author is an independent contributor.
Its that time of year again to give back and what isn’t a better way to give than to take a chance on freedom and a fantastic rug. The GoodWeave™ Program to End Child Labor is running it’s 8th Annual Rug Raffle, which is quickly coming to an end, so get your ticket before its too late.
Rugmark USA’s annual rug raffle, offers you the chance to win a luxurious handmade rug, for only $25. This years rug was designed and donated by New York-based Warp & Weft and is certified child-labor-free by GoodWeave. All proceeds from the raffle go to support RugMark’s GoodWeave certification program.
The GoodWeave certification program works to end exploitative child labor in the South Asian carpet industry by inspecting weaving looms and providing rehabilitation and education for former child weavers. To date, the GoodWeave program has rescued more than 3,600 children from exploitation on carpet looms and offered them rehabilitation, education, vocational training, and other services. The GoodWeave label is your best assurance that no child labor was used in the manufacture of a carpet or rug.
The 8’ x 10’ rug being raffled, Riviera Caramel, has a retail value of $10,800 and is currently available for viewing at Warp & Weft’s DC studio, located in the Washington Design Center. Riviera Caramel is part of Warp & Weft’s Modern & Custom Collection, designed by owner Michael Mandapati. Hand woven in Nepal and made from pure Tibetan wool and Indian mulberry silk, the design echoes differing images from nature, from topographical maps to tree bark. (For more information, on this and the company’s other designs, visit: www.warpandweft.com)
Every ticket sold helps bring GoodWeave and its nearly 70 importer/designer members one step closer to ending child labor in the handmade rug industry. Raffle tickets are $25 each, 5 for $100 or 12 for $200. The drawing will take place on December 16, 2009, and the winner will be notified the following day. Purchase your tickets here.
