EAST LANSING, Mich. — In time for the holiday season, handcrafted high-quality and eco-friendly handbags will be available for purchase locally as one MSU alum begins to help women in Thailand by selling her new fair trade products through local retailers.

Brittany Fox, co-director of Thai Song, moved to Thailand immediately after her graduation from MSU in August 2009 with a plan to find work with a local non-profit organization. Her goal was to find a job that both made use of her degree in international relations from James Madison College and focused on helping women.
In a matter of weeks that plan changed, as Fox grew more familiar with some of the women living in the Ma Ha Thai Song community, a slum offering little hope or opportunity for families and children. Learning that many women would turn to prostitution as the only means to support their children, Fox said she knew she couldn’t wait for a job — she needed to personally help these women.
“I never thought I would find myself running a business,” Fox said.
Thai Song, which translates as “emit freedom,” was launched as a way to provide income for those who don’t have the option of working outside their homes. The organization is dedicated to empowering Thai women to overcome poverty, improve their community and better their environment through dignified employment.
“While seeking to bring economic freedom and hope for women living in poverty we have created a business that is win-win,” Fox said. “Our women are producing beautiful products out of recycled plastic bags collected in their neighborhood — something good for the environment and for the spirit of these women.”

The process is extensive. Each bag requires cleaning, sorting and crocheting the recycled material, a process that takes 12 to 16 hours.  In 2010, more than 280 bags were sold, and Fox said they have added new products to the online store including cell phone bags and earrings made from recycled straws, aluminum cans, and bottle caps.
“The biggest joy and the thing we’re looking for the most for our women is to see them empowered and to see them believe that they can make a difference for their family in the future,” Fox said.
Thai Song bags will soon be featured in fair trade stores throughout Michigan, including The Bridge in Holland, Global Infusions in Grand Rapids, The Mission Marketplace in Chelsea and Women at Risk International in Rockford and Grand Rapids. Locally, Everybody Reads, a community bookstore located on 2019 East Michigan Avenue, is also carrying Thai Song bags in support of the project.

Learn more about the organization or visit Thai Song’s online store at http://www.thaisongfairtrade.org.
The Bridge in Holland, Global Infusions in Grand Rapids, The Mission Marketplace in Chelsea, and Women at Risk International in Rockford and Grand Rapids. Locally, Everybody Reads, a community bookstore located on 2019 East Michigan Avenue, is also carrying Thai Song bags in support of the project.