Page "Ten Thousand Villages" Paragraph 3

The philosophy of Ten Thousand Villages was inspired by Mennonite Christianity.

Mennonite values include compassion, service, mutual aid, and peacemaking.

As such, the global fair trade movement officially began with the founding of Ten Thousand Villages more than 60 years ago through the work of Edna Ruth Byler, a pioneering businesswoman.

She was moved to take action by the poverty she witnessed during a trip to Puerto Rico in 1946.