“We need jobs, and we need a way to put our children in school.” This statement, spoken by internally displaced Ugandans, resonated with Yobel co-Founder, Sarah Ray.
If these strong, resilient, hardworking, motivated individuals had access to dignified work, they would be able to provide many things for themselves that charity would seek to do for them. Things like school fees, clean water, nutritious foods, secure housing, clothing, and transportation. Jobs sounded like a good way forward.
As consumers, we have power and we must use it wisely. United States citizens will purportedly spend $1 trillion this year on Christmas gifts. That is $1 trillion votes cast for the kind of world we want to live in. Let’s vote together for a world that prioritizes People and Planet so we ALL Profit!
When we externalize costs, we are asking for both the earth and an overseas labor force to satisfy our demand for cheap goods made quickly. Yobel wants to participate in a world where costs are no longer externalized. The way we do this is by ensuring that the people employed to manufacture our ethical goods are valued fairly, and the planet is not only protected, but improved by the goods we sell!
