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Macys.com Expands Path to Peace Project Across the African Continent

On the heels of the successful Rwanda Path to Peace basket project, Macy's announces Shop for a Better World, an expanded collection featuring one-of-a-kind crafts, gifts and home décor items handmade by artisans in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Africa. The broader program launches fall/winter 2008 just in time for the holiday season.

Shop for a Better World is a partnership between Macy's and Fair Winds Trading, which was founded by Willa Shalit, a social activist and entrepreneur who recognizes the great vitality, ambition and optimism in these areas of the world, which are emerging from the devastation of war and natural disasters. The program generates income and employment opportunities for the citizens of these countries, providing them with a platform to utilize their traditional skills and craftsmanship.

Focusing on trade not aid, Shop for a Better World seeks to make the greatest impact possible within a region. With a commitment to sustainable business as well as a belief in going deeply into a region with long-term commitment, Shop for a Better World creates a job market for artisans with an empowering opportunity to change their own lives. The initiative also offers employees with life skill training, such as rehabilitation, health and hygiene in addition to education on nutrition and financial management.

Shop for a Better World is a vertically integrated operation; all steps of production take place in the origin country using only raw materials sourced from the region. The program employs a large population of women who live in the rural countryside, allowing them to maintain their current residence and avoid the often costly and disruptive process of relocating to cities in search of work.

Cambodia Path to Peace: Traditional Silks

For over a thousand years, silk-making has been passed down from mothers to daughters throughout Cambodia. Honoring this tradition, Shop for a Better World introduces a line of luxury travel bags, totes, lipstick cases, jewelry rolls and more made by skilled artisans from hand-woven Cambodian silks. Colors range from neutral tans and rich browns to vibrant fuscias and bold indigos.

Why Cambodia?

Suffering from a devastating civil war in the 1970s, in addition to being the third most mined country in the world, Cambodia has lost over 100,000 citizens. Bearing the aftermath of these atrocities is a female biased population with families to support. Now with more women looking for work, revitalizing the silk trade not only provides Cambodian women in rural areas with means to an income, but it also keeps a rich tradition of the Cambodia culture alive.

Indonesia Path to Peace: Hand-Carved and Painted Art

This diverse archipelago with over 300 ethnic groups possesses a deep-rooted tradition in creating handicrafts and arts from native materials like albesia wood and terracotta. The unique cosmos of this community is reflected in these one-of-a-kind designs. Shop for a Better World will showcase handcrafted home décor and gift items such as hand-carved, painted bowls, serving trays, coaster sets and more. In addition to the wooden crafts are the terracotta plates in varied sizes and shapes, offering a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors and sandy finishes.

Why Indonesia?

Following the catastrophic 2004 Tsunami, Indonesian citizens are still trying to recover from the natural disaster that has left them physically and financially devastated. Shop for a Better World allows them to put their skills to use in a meaningful way, providing income and an outlet to keep traditions alive.

Rwandan Path to Peace: Expanded to Include Textiles and Jewelry

Shop for a Better World will also offer 100% cotton totes, an eco-friendly option to the plastic bag. Each tote is made from locally grown cotton which is hand-woven and sewn by women of Rwanda. The totes feature vivid, indigenous prints and are safely-dyed.

In addition to totes, the site will offer tabletop accessories including placemats, table runners and napkins in various prints including Village, Night Sky and Dawn Sky. The line will also offer an apron in these prints as well.

Later this year, Shop for a Better World will introduce hand made jewelry by a group of 50 women in Kigali, Rwanda. The striking collection features necklaces, bracelets and earrings made with unique, semi-precious stones such Amethyst and Tigers Eye.

Rwanda Path to Peace: Weaving cotton, sisal and sweet grass

Four years ago the Rwanda Path to Peace project began to offer a means of income for Rwandan genocide survivors by selling exquisite, hand-woven baskets exclusively on Macys.com. The graphic designs on the baskets are inspired by traditional Rwandan artwork and culture. Made from sisal, sweetgrass and other natural resources found in Rwanda, Shop for a Better World expands the collection with bright, new colors and bold patterns.

Why Rwanda?

In 1994 the Rwandan people suffered a horrific mass genocide losing almost 1 million people to murder over a course of 100 days. This genocide left many widows and orphans in its wake with little hope for a happy, stable future. Four years ago, Rwanda Path to Peace established a viable, sustainable export business that provides economic stability, and promotes an environment of peace to positively impact the future of Rwanda's eight million citizens. The positive impact continues today with Shop for a Better World, offering a larger outlet for more creation, exportation and a better life for citizens around the world.

Shop for a Better World will be available at select Macy's stores and online at www.macys.com/betterworld beginning Fall 2008.

About Macy's

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Federated Department Stores, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions - Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Midwest, Macy's North, Macy's Northwest, Macy's South, and Macy's West - and an online store at macys.com.