Plowsharing Crafts   Mission Statement Haiitian Metal cutter Plowsharing Crafts , a part of Ten Thousand Villages, provides vital, fair income to Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. We work with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care, and housing. Principles of Operation Plowsharing Crafts is a non-profit, self-supporting organization. We work with disadvantaged artisans. We pay fair prices for handicrafts. We pay promptly. We purchase from craft groups that are concerned for their members and that promote member participation. We pay up to half the value of a handicraft order when it is placed, the balance when the items are shipped to North America. This provides operating capital for artisans to purchase raw materials and for craft groups to pay workers. We offer handicrafts that reflect and reinforce rich cultural traditions. We promote fair trade. We use marketing strategies and messages consistent with our mission and ideals. Our ideals include responsible lifestyle choices, efficiency, and Christian ethics. We see integrity in all our actions and relationships.