I’ve just discovered Freeset bags (& journals) and just love what they are all about… Freedom for the women who have no choice but to roam Calcutta’s streets as prostitutes, and for their daughters.

My pick of the bags are these dragonfly print jute shoulder bags with cotton lining (the handles are lined too to be comfortable on bare shoulders) with a cell phone pocket.

“Each Freeset Bag tells a story of one woman’s journey to freedom. She used to stand with 6,000 other prostitutes in a small but well known area of North Calcutta. She didn’t choose her profession; it chose her. Poverty does that. It robs people of their dignity and children of their innocence.

She still lives in the same area, but instead of selling her body she makes Freeset Bags. Now she has choices, the choice to work decent hours for decent pay, to re-establish her dignity in her community and to learn to read and write. Now her daughter won’t have to stand in the street selling her body like her mother used to. Freedom has been passed on to the next generation.” – from the Freeset website.

Also check out these wood-free Kantha journals. They are handbound, with a kantha- stitch multilayered cover, a screen-printed pencil and white wool paper. Each journal is unique. They are made by the daughters of sex workers. Freeset’s goal is to bring wholeness and restoration to their lives. Many tragic stories are told by the girls. By giving these girls a dignified job, Freeset have given them a step up, to gain respect by society. The cycle of shame is broken!

Freeset products are available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.

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Patagonia are proof that you can have the best possible quality and care for the environment. This is demonstrated by their simple yet inspirational Mission Statement: “Build the best product, do no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

Patagonia donate time, services and at least 1% of their sales to environmental groups worldwide, while using recycled polyester in many of its clothes and only organic, rather than pesticide-intensive, cotton.

Their Spring ‘09 collection is now available online in the UK from the Ethical Superstore (remember that buying online is better for the environment when you’re just buying a few non-food items).

Here’s what Ethical Superstore has to say about the new range of Patagonia gear:

“we think it’s safe to say that Patagonia not only make good looking, pro-performing gear, but are a great example of how man and nature can work side-by-side, co-existing and co-depending on the other for a mutually beneficial existance.”

Take a look.

For men:

For ladies:

See more at the Ethical Superstore.

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Green shopkeeper Nigel Berman is thinking hard about how to give his Mum a gift that is more than just the usual hurried card and flowers, he’s going for “something more thoughtfully chosen, that’s more meaningful and more eco friendly (of course)”. Here’s what he suggests:

Oranges are not the only fruit, but these fantastic fruiting trees make rather nice Mother’s Day gifts. Put some tang into your mum’s life, they look fabulous in a hallway, conservatory or even out on the patio during Summer. Supplied approx 50cm high, it’ll fruit up to four times year. Orange trees look and smell terrific and will bring a taste of the tropics into the house all year round. £49.99

This Pocket Organic Herb Garden will make it easy for your mum to grow her own delicious organic herbs indoors. £4.99

The Sun Jar Solar Light stores sunlight in a jar to brighten up your mum’s evenings. £19.99

If your mum loves to cook, then this Bamboo Heart Shaped Spoon will be a great gift. For food made with love. £3.99

Amelia’s Magazine Apron Dress Kit will make is easy for your mum to make her own 100% organic and fairtrade babycord dungaree-style dress, from size 10 to 16. £24.99

For 10% off the prices you see at nigelsecostore.com, use the code ECOMUM at checkout. Valid till 20 March 2009.

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