Travel with us - to Cambodia

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Showing off the Fair Trade Handbags of Cambodia.

Cambodia - Handbag Purses

Fair Trade certified by the Fair Trade Federation for our importer 'Baskets of Cambodia.'
 
Topanien Gifts is proud to be a supporter of 'Baskets of Cambodia.' Baskets of Cambodia was started in 1996. In 1997, there was a coup and change of power in government. Throughout this time, Baskets of Cambodia not only operated but expanded to four hundred artisans throughout Cambodia.

Instead of putting undue pressure on prices and seeing quality suffer, Baskets of Cambodia has always provided an upward bias in favor of their workers in Cambodia. This is perhaps the primary reason the handbags are as extraordinary as they are. Baskets of Cambodia's entire business model is progressive. They provide a healthcare safety net program, yearly dividends, and schooling options in varying degrees depending on the level of participation of their artisans in Cambodia.

Baskets of Cambodia Staff. After the Monsoon rains subside, the plant responsible for the products made by Baskets of Cambodia begins to take shape. The reed is ideally harvested at a thickness of about one quarter inch while still slightly green.

Artisan creating a basket. The thread that ties the baskets together is cut from the long strands of reed. When the material is ready, local village women gather under bamboo huts and pass the day making various baskets and handbags.
Moving the 'la peuk' reeds.Cambodia consists mostly of a flat plain surrounded by moderate mountain ranges.  The Cambodian monsoon season normally runs from April to September or October.
Weaving a basket.
The plant responsible for the baskets, handbags and purses made by Baskets of Cambodia is the “la peuk.”  This plant is found growing wild over all of Southeast Asia.

Fair Trade Handbags from Cambodia

Baskets of Cambodia - Fair Trade Certified The goal of 'Baskets of Cambodia' is to make their business attractive to their artisans so that they prefer 'Baskets of Cambodia' over other companies because they receive better compensation and treatment. In return, 'Baskets of Cambodia' has a truly creative and very talented workforce.

Some workers come to 'Baskets of Cambodia' to work. Others work at home. If requested, sewing machines are supplied which artisans can use for any purpose (once they are paid for).  They can choose to work for themselves or even another business, but if 'Baskets of Cambodia' hasn’t kept their artisans, then they feel that they aren’t doing their job and we won't have our wonderful Fair Trade Handbags and Purses.

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