ML - Aspen Peak

2014 - Issue 1 - Summer

Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak

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love over the years: Pakistan. The people will all be so kind and welcoming, as Pakistanis are famous for their hospitality. Unfortunately, much of the world thinks of terrorism and dangers when they think of Pakistan, and they will never come to know this country is so much more than that. Upon arrival in Lahore, the hums of motorbikes carrying families of five, cluck-clucks of rickshaws pulled by donkeys, and brightly painted trucks with horns that sound like elephants all welcome me. Immediately, I relax into my seat and feel like I am home. Several years ago, while leading Marshall Direct Fund, a nonprofit pro- viding educational scholarships for women and children in conf lict countries, I came to know the work ethic of the women of Pakistan. No mat- ter if the temperature was 125 degrees, with humidity so intense that one is drenched in sweat the entire day, women are dutifully found in the fields har- vesting crops from dusk to dawn or stitching clothing in the steaming urban streets for their neighbors and friends—all of this with a baby on her hip or back and three or four other children at her side. Over the years, these women showed me their incredible tenacity and described the challenges they face. They live on less than $2 a day and routinely experience such dire hardships as childhood marriage, human trafficking, and poverty so extreme that suicide becomes tangible. Marshall Direct Fund can assist these women with vocational and business training to help them reach higher income levels, but more was needed for them to achieve their true poten- tial. To succeed they needed access to the global economy—information about it, marketing and branding knowledge, logistical support, and connectivity to retailers. It was then that I saw the niche for a social enterprise that would provide these services, and Peace of the Action was born. Peace of the Action links women entrepreneurs in conf lict countries to the global market, giving the very people whose economic suc- cess helps build the groundwork for peace a "piece of the action" in the global economy, so they can lift their families out of poverty. The women are provided fair working conditions and paid fair-trade rates for their prod- ucts, earning as much as four times what they made prior to working with the organization. With the demand for socially responsible product lines at an all- time high, our first product line, Her Stainton says it's exciting to work with the Pakistanis "in a way that economically empowers women so that a more peaceful future can be secured for all of us." "e concept is simple but beautiful: Stand a woman on her own two feet by what's on yours." SILBI STAINTON continued from page 74 continued on page 78 Own Two Feet, is now available nationwide in the US. Her Own Two Feet is a line of handcrafted footwear for the ever-hip, globally inspired fashionista who wants to build a more peaceful world. We selected a base product that is in high demand globally (f lip-f lops bring in $2 billion in sales annually in the US market alone and $20 billion across the globe). We also wanted a product line that appealed especially to people under 40, as a recent study in The Wall Street Journal showed that the majority of that demographic is willing to pay a small premium for products that provide a social benefit. The concept is simple but beautiful: Stand a woman on her own two feet by what's on yours. One of the master embellishers in the group, Mumtaz exemplifies how Her Own Two Feet works: Extreme poverty blocked Mumtaz's dream for PHOTOGRAPHY BY KHALID FAISAL 76 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY 074-079_AP_SP_SOG_SUM_FALL_14.indd 76 5/6/14 2:56 PM

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