Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
P36718 |
Description |
Mrs. Freida Peters of the MCC International Boutique, 31414 Marshall Road, displays some of the original items that are available from all over the world. She is holding some beautiful thread count embroidery from the West Bank of the Jordan River. Wheat straw cards and pictures from Bangladesh, mahogany and oak articles from Haiti, monkey pod items from the Philippines and beautiful thread count embroidery from India, Haiti and the Westbank of the Jordan River, were just some of the items that were stocked at the MCC International Boutique, (DATE), 31414 Marshall Road. Not only were many of these items different and so could make ideal gifts or proud additions to any home, but they were all handmade or made with very primitive tools. They were being sold through the MCC’s self-help program. The MCC was well known for aid given to developing countries, and Mrs. Peters explained how these articles are made and how a market is found for them here. "Usually when a volunteer goes overseas to help in these countries, they usually go as medical, educational or agricultural specialists," she said. "But very often they find people need finances for such basics as food and shelter, and so the volunteer gets into a job creation program." Mrs. Peter explained that articles are made very often from the raw materials of the country involved, such as the wooden items mentioned, and the quality control is stressed in encouraging people to develop their work. "This is where we can help them develop a marketable product," she said. "And during the time that the quality of the goods is being perfected, the MCC workers provide the market for the finished product." Eventually, these people can carry on independently of the MCC aid, Mrs. Peters said. "Then we gradually phase our help out so that we can help in other areas. This too is much better than just providing material aid. It truly helps the people become independent." Mrs. Peters saw this as a twofold advantage. Not only was the program helping the developing countries, but it gave the opportunity for people here to buy the unique product. The shop was open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As the MCC was a non-profit organization, the mark-up on the items was extremely limited—only enough to cover cost. Mrs. Peters herself spent three-and-one-half years in Asia and had visited in such places as Bangladesh, India, Thailand and the Philippines, so had knowledge of the work being done there and the need for the commercial market. Image not published. |
Date |
10/10/1979 |
Object Name |
Negative |
Collection |
ASM/Abbotsford News Collection |
Source |
Abbotsford News |
People |
Freida, Peters |