Ponsonby Gifts with a Conscience - 8 December in Ponsonby

A new kind of gift fair is coming to Ponsonby on Saturday, 8 December.

Among the stallholders are such women as those from ‘The Travelling Sewing Box’. They are a group of women who are recent migrants and refugees, showcasing crafts in their own unique way. Its main objective is to empower immigrant women by giving them a voice and a sense of participation within society.

The “Travelling Sewing Box”, originated by Victoria Martinez Azaro and developed in collaboration with Aotearoa Latin American Community Incorporated (ALACINC) has been supporting migrants and refugees settlement process in Aotearoa New Zealand over the last 24 years. This project is aligned with ALACINC’s Community Development Craft Therapy Programme and powered by the E Tu Whanau Programme (Ministry of Social

Development) to promote women’s empowerment; tackle isolation and support entrepreneurship initiatives under principles of social, environmental and economic sustainability towards an adequate process of our community in the country.

Another stallholder will be the Migrant Workers Association which has been helping migrant workers who are being exploited in the workplace. Help offered can be from education and awareness about migrants' work rights and responsibilities to advocating for exploited workers and ultimately working towards prevention of exploitation.

They will have gifts such as hair ornaments, christmas tree decorations and gift wrapped cookies. In addition, they will be selling t-shirts, badges and some literature promoting the cause.

Eco-products and Mums4Refugees will also be selling various ‘gifts with a conscience’.

The Unitarian Gift Fair will be held at the Auckland Unitarian Church, 1A Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby from 10am-3pm on Saturday, 8 December.

For more information, contact the fair coordinator, Kay Parish at www.auckland@unitarian.org.nz