Quipu

Quipu was established as a retail and wholesale business in 1992. Each year I visit Peru to purchase craft goods from small family businesses, and by so doing I ensure that a fair price is paid directly to the families who make the products.

The extensive range of crafts includes alpaca knitwear, jewellery, ceramics, clothing, hats, buttons and beads, musical instruments, mirrors and many other unusual and original gifts. For choice and quality at an affordable price, the alpaca knitwear is certainly worth viewing.

The British Association of Fair Trade shops (BAFTS) has awarded Quipu their prestigious Fair Trade mark and it is listed in their importers directory as a company which has the promotion of disadvantaged producers as their prime motivation. Quipu has sought partnerships with producers in Peru based on dialogue, transparency and respect and it contributes to sustainable development by offering fair trading conditions. Examples of this are:

a) A group of women from a shanty town in a district outside Lima struggling to improve the lives of their poverty stricken families by making exquisite appliqué work.

b) A family from the same district making straw Christmas decorations to pay for their children's education.

c) A church based organisation running rehabilitation projects for women in the maximum-security jail in Lima.

Over the years I have come into contact with some of the poorest and neediest people in Peru and together with my family, have established a small charity, WAWA. Our aim is to raise funds to provide educational opportunities and medical facilities for disadvantaged people in Peru. All the money collected in the shop and at other venues in 2003 has been allocated to build a community room for three remote mountain villages. All donations go to Peru. Any costs are covered by Quipu or sponsors.

Contact Mary Bunney on 01305 788474 or 01308 485207, email: quipu@tiscali.co.uk or visit www.quipucrafts.co.uk for more information.