When they visited Oct. 11 the New Windsor store “A Greater Gift,” 15 students in the course “Global Inequality and Social Change” learned how trading with poor countries can benefit some of the world’s most impoverished communities.

“We’re learning about U.S. trade policy,” says Assistant Sociology Professor Linda Semu. “We’re looking at whether free trade is fair trade. When you open up markets, how do poor people benefit? I want to show students that trade doesn’t have to exploit workers.”

Fair trade, the concept on which “A Greater Gift” is based, is a movement that provides poor communities with fair wages, fair working conditions and fair contracts for their goods, which are shipped to the U.S. Most of the profits are returned to the community, where it directly benefits workers and their families. Fair trade is a response to American manufacturing demands on countries that keep their prices and working conditions low.

“As a young person, you don’t take into account problems all over the world until you start thinking about your own kids and grandkids,” says Sociology major Kerry McNelly ’08. “It’s incredible how something like buying fair-trade can have such a big effect on the economy.”

As students tasted chocolate made by cocoa producers in Ghana, beat drums from Kenya and admired delicate silver earrings from Chile, they talked about growing a new appreciation for things that make a difference not only for the customer, but also for the purchaser.

”I was glad to hear that the profits go to help schools thrive and help families make a living,” said Tiffany Mack ’07.

“This course, and this trip, has opened my eyes to things I didn’t think about before, like sweatshops,” added Krista Hopkins ’08. “I am thinking more globally.”

The new course “Global Inequality and Social Change” will be taught regularly as part of the College’s revamped curriculum, which will be instituted next fall. The new curriculum will reflect more interdisciplinary, international and multicultural perspectives – including a global citizenship requirement and an emphasis on writing.

“A Greater Gift” began during World War II under the name SERRV International. Located on the campus of the Church of the Brethren in New Windsor, the area was used as an alternative operation for conscientious war objectors. After the war, relief workers from the campus who helped rebuild parts of Europe bought items from refugees to sell in America. The proceeds were returned to the community. SERRV now buys goods from Africa, Haiti, Bangladesh, Palestine and many other countries.

“You can’t buy everything on a fair-trade basis,” says gift shop manager Linda Kjeldgaard. “However, you make choices with your income, and those choices do make a difference.”

A Greater Gift relies on volunteers, and Semu’s students are planning to help later in the semester.

Volunteer, shop or read more about A Greater Gift here. (www.agreatergift.org)