Knitted Nativity Puppets The Product Finger Puppets: Charming and multi-coloured, these finger puppets are handknitted by a group of talented women living high in the Andes in a town called Chucuito. A modern adaptation of a long Peruvian tradition of knitting toys and clothes, these unique puppets embody the rich culture of their makers. By finding a larger market for their craft, these women are able to provide up to half of their family's income during most of the year, and by working from their homes, they are able to continue raising their children and taking care of the household. The Artisan Group: Manos Amigas Manos Amigas, which means "hands joined in friendship," is a Fair Trade organization dedicated to the export of handicrafts and alternative tourism. As a community outreach program in Lima, Manos Amigas was initially formed in 1991 to help generate funds for Ninos Felices, a breakfast program for disadvantaged children. Today, they continue to donate 20 percent of their annual surplus to this program, feeding 400 children at the Assemblies of God church each Sunday and helping pay for school uniforms and supplies. While in the beginning Manos Amigas worked with 10 to 12 producer groups, today the organization partners with seven associations, three cooperatives and a variety of family workshops in the impoverished areas of Lima and the Andean highlands. The number of artisans fluctuates between 290 and 970, depending on the volume of orders placed. Ten Thousand Villages was one of Manos Amigas' first customers. In addition to providing export services, Manos Amigas offers consultancy services and a wealth of training workshops for their artisans. They have also participated in international trade fairs in order to gain new markets. An item with a story to tell! Involve many little hands in the telling of the treasured Christmas story. This whimsical, 7-piece knitted finger-puppet nativity set comes in a mesh bag for easy travelling. A perfect quiet time activity in the rush of the season. Travel the world with each visit to Ten Thousand Villages. Learn how Fair Trade really makes a difference. Our goal is to provide vital, fair income to artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages sells product from more than 30 countries, providing work for nearly 60,000 people around the world. The Country: Peru After Brazil and Argentina, Peru is the third largest country in South America. In addition to being known as the cradle of the Inca Empire, Peru has many indigenous ethnic groups, making it a major historical and cultural site. Long-established and exceptional techniques of cultivation, metalwork, pottery and weaving continue to exist today. Peru’s economy reflects its varied geography: arid coastal regions, cool Andean slopes and moist Amazonian rainforests. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas and Peru’s coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Overdependence on these resources has, however, made the country subject to fluctuations in world prices. Nevertheless, petroleum, natural gas and power industries are expected to increase due to an influx of capital in the mining, construction and tourism sectors. Despite its fast-growing economy, unemployment and poverty remain Peru’s main threat to domestic stability. Heavily concentrated in rural areas, 45 percent of Peruvians live below the poverty line, surviving on less than US$ 1 a day. In order to integrate more fully into the regional and world economy, the Peruvian government plans to expand through diversifying production and increasing exports. The challenge will be to spread the benefits of growth across all social sectors.