Description
Hunger and poverty
In the countries where we help, hunger is an overwhelming reality for our families. They live in poverty, and for some, it means searching trash for discarded food. In Guatemala and Honduras, where poverty rates are very high, we’ve helped families who used to spend their whole day in garbage dumps searching for aluminum cans, copper, or bottles.
Insufficient income
Poverty-stricken families often have limited or unstable sources of income, making it difficult for them to afford an adequate and nutritious diet. They rely on loans or credit to purchase food, which can lead to a cycle of debt and financial instability. Chronic hunger and malnutrition can lead to health problems, including stunted growth in children, weakened immune systems, and cognitive development issues.
Be the catalyst for change
Getting families out of hazardous activities and stabilizing their health is critical to a better future. Feeding a family for a month is a stepping stone that will allow us to put them on a pathway to self-reliance and sustainability. It means using that time to enroll the parents into our micro-enterprise program and send their children to school, which we couldn’t do without our donors or partners.
Related products
Why Support our new Pilot Inititaive
A Mercado Global handbag isn’t just an accessory—it’s a meaningful gift that represents hope and resilience. When you shop on our website you're making the statement that poverty isn't inevitable.
Every purchase helps create a stable economic environment within impoverished communities, which can lead to food security and reduce dependency on aid. It’s an investment in breaking the cycle of poverty through fair trade practices that uplift entire communities.
Each handbag is a unique piece of art, handcrafted by skilled artisans who draw on traditional techniques passed down through generations. This supports cultural preservation while giving artisans a source of pride and financial independence.
Flora Petite Crossbody in Turf Moss
Flora Petite Clutch in Lavender Maple
Mini Lily Wristlet in Cream Soda
Handbags are ethically crafted, prioritizing fair labor practices and sustainable production. With each purchase, you’re helping prove that we can tackle poverty through sustainable community development.
Buying a Mercado Global handbag provides sustainable income for artisans in marginalized communities, directly helping them support their families. By working part-time, artisans can make up to $8 a day, which is enough to lift themselves out of poverty over the course of a few months of engagement.
By shopping with us, you’re supporting a test initiative designed to demonstrate that we can build a sustainable, closed-loop system between our micro-enterprise programs and an online marketplace. If the test is sucessful we'll be able to scale up our programs.