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| Ethical Trading |
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Ethical Trading
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Windhorse is inspired by Buddhist values and ethos. This finds its practical application in our dealings with our suppliers, customers and the environment:
we build real & lasting connections with our suppliers. We give all our suppliers a fair price, and we monitor fair wages & good working conditions.
we treat our customers fairly, honestly & with respect.
we minimise our environmental impact. We recycle as much as possible, especially packing materials, and monitor energy use in our offices. We share cars, offer a minibus to take staff to work, and we have a cycle to work scheme.
we make money in order to give it away. The business is owned by a charity, which donates money to social projects in the communities of our suppliers, and to Buddhist projects around the world.
Centre for disabled people in Bali
For several years, with our supplier, we have been donating to a project for disabled children and adults in the town of Ubud, which is the local town of the villages where we buy our goods. This is the Kupu-Kupu project. Begonia, a Spanish social worker, started the project because she saw that disabled children in Bali are often isolated and unable to leave their houses. The Kupu-Kupu Foundation provides wheelchairs (plus lessons in how to use them) and transport to its centre in the town of Ubud that doubles as a school and community centre. There they have lessons, craft making, yoga, and meet others in similar situations. A few years ago another day centre in the district of Bangli was opened and this building was entirely paid for by us.
www.kupukupufoundation.org
Orphanage in Thailand
We support the Ban Rom Sai Orphanage in northern Thailand, which provides a home to 30 children, including some who contracted HIV at birth. The home aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children, and help them find a skill they are good at and enjoy.
www.banromsai.org
Other social projects
In previous years we have also donated money to projects in Guatemala, Bali, China, Kenya and Nepal. For example, we buy our range of Worry Dolls and other Mayan-inspired gifts from our supplier in Guatemala. In partnership with them we have helped to fund the building of three new schools, which has enabled more children to attend.
In China we have donated money to provide scholarships for children in rural areas, as well as supporting teachers to work in rural schools. We also donated to the rebuilding project of a mountain school in a dangerous state of disrepair.
Buddhist projects
We provide ongoing financial support to the charity www.freebuddhistaudio.com which is an online resource with free to download talks for people wishing to learn about meditation and Buddhism.
We also donate money to Buddhist charities in Mexico, India, South Africa, Russia, Germany, Spain and the UK. For example we recently donated to the building of a new Buddhist Centre in Mexico City where people can learn how to practice meditation and Buddhism.
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