About La Maison Afrique FAIR

Below, you will find the main features of the cooperation between La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE  and the craftwomen/men on Madagascar.

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers. Capacity building.
Madagascar is, in economic terms, one of the poorest countries in the world. More than 70% of the population lives on less than 1 USD/day (which is the international definition of absolute poverty). At the same time, the country has a rich culture and, considering economic poverty, highly educated population.  In order to give concrete economic support and secure good communication, the craftswomen/men are visited yearly. The cooperation was established in 1995 and includes approx. 30 informal groups.
*Interest free loans/prepayment is given to the craft producers. This is of outmost importance for the economically poor, but in craft-skills rich, to be able to make use of the talent.
*Regular orders within the framework of a long-term commitment. This is the basis for the craft-producers economic security and skill development.
*Export-administration: In cooperation with a local firm, La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE provides with export  administration and ensures local tax-payment . This gives the opportunity to craft producers without  a registered firm (i.e. genuine micro-producers in the informal sector) to be the suppliers.

Payment of a fair price. Transparency and accountability.
*Focusing on value-added products. La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE does not trade with raw materials.
In the colonial trade system, Africa was the supplier of raw materials. We work for change.
* Product-development and a price decided in dialogue with the craftwomen/men (not middle-men).
*La Maison Afrique  FAIR TRADE AB´s Accounts and Annual Report is audited by an Approved Public  Accountant and available to anyone as an official document at the Swedish Registration Office.
*Reporting to the World Fair Trade Organization (former IFAT) according to the standards and monitoring system for Fair Trade Organizations since the introduction of the system in 2003.  Click here for report december 2009. Certified Fair Trade Organization since 2003,  certificate renewed 2005, 2007  (2007 also approved through external verification), 2010. Click here for certificate 2010-2011.

Environment and working conditions
*Madagascar has an environment with a unique flora and fauna. It is of outmost importance that this is protected and preserved. La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE support environmentally-friendly, small-scale craft production based on locally available raw materials.
*Recycling: In the capital Antananarivo, used cans is the material for making crafts. As the town has no recycling-plant for cans, the craft production is actually alleviating an increasing waste/pollution problem. The same applies to plastic waste, that is used for  making beads.
* Only dyes certified as complying with ÖKO-TEX standards are used for sisal and raffia in La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE assortment.
*Before each shipment, all products are controlled and approved by the ministries concerned: Ministère de l´Environnement et Fôrets and Ministère de la Culture.
*All products are shipped by sea from Madagascar to Sweden.

Promoting culture and traditions
*Family traditions is the foundation for the craft skills owned by the individual. La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE support that these skills are  practiced, preserved and with pride can be passed over to the next generation.  *The arts and craft items are bearers of  culture. La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE promotion support that the items, in addition to be practical and aesthetical, also create understanding and respect for the craft producers´ culture internationally. 

  Gender Equity. The rights of the child.
*The work with the crafts is often equally shared
between men and women. The main decision-makers regarding orders are most often the women.
* Children do not, for obvious reasons, participate in the work

  Development: Strategic direction
Since start of operation, La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE has had the environment in focus. This will be further enhanced.
The issue is of major importance, not the least from a perspective of fairness:
The poorest countries are the ones that have contributed the least to the ongoing climate change,
but they are the worst hit by its consequences.