Metuchen merchants aim to aid Nepalese

By PETER ELACQUA
Staff Writer

The owners of a Metuchen store are taking steps to help improve the lives of people affected by the Nepal earthquake.

Marafiki Fair Trade, a fair-trade retail store located in downtown Metuchen, is owned by Linda Koskoski and Deborah Zupan, who have partnered with some of the most economically challenged artisans worldwide. They are associated with Ganesh Himal Trading Co., which works with producers in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, less than 20 miles from the epicenter of the April 26 earthquake.

“When we heard of the devastating earthquake that rocked the region, of course our thoughts turned to the people who produce some of the beautiful items we offer in the store,” Koskoski said.

Located at 20 New St., Marafiki will accept online and cash donations to help aid the victims, and the owners will donate 10 percent of sales this week to Ganesh Himal Trading.

Ganesh Himal Trading also reported the destruction of a medical center in the village of Baseri. The center took three years to be completed and was destroyed in seconds.

“Baseri is actually a great place to have a medical camp,” said Denise Attwood, one of the owners of Ganesh Himal Trading. “People already expect that there’s going to be a clinic there, and I’m sure that people are coming out of the remote areas who are hurt, expecting to get help there.”

Attwood has stated plans to rebuild but is currently focused on helping locals with immediate needs, she said.

Marafiki owners only buy and trade with people or organizations that have handmade products for which the artisans are given a fair salary.

“We trade with people who make the clothes that aren’t locked in factories, people that have a real salary,” Koskoski said.

Since the shop opened more than three years ago, the community of Metuchen has accepted Marafiki.

“When people hear about fair trade and what it means, they are interested in the idea of a fair wage for the work that you do,” Koskoski said.

To donate online, visit ganeshhimaltrading.com/fair-trade-more/baseri-health-clinic or marafiki-fair-trade.myshopify.com.