soleRebels: A Sustainable Model For A Global Problem
The hand-cut recycled tire sole on a fair trade soleRebel shoe (photo by Ryan King)
Sweatshop. It’s a word that conjures up imagery of crowded warehouses full of overworked employees – whom are often underage – spending long hours in unhealthy conditions, meticulously creating products for western brands, all whilst being paid mere cents a day. Worst of all, these are not hard to come by. In fact, some of the most recognized North American brands have been accused of operating sweatshops overseas in order to increase the profit on their merchandise. As the presence of sweatshops has grown pervasive throughout the world, the concept of fair trade has begun to take hold, especially in developing nations. In a small village in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, one business has taken the concept of fair trade and its practices, and turned it into a revolutionary business model that has changed the lives of everyone it has touched.
a hand-made soleRebel (photo from www.solerebelsfootwear.co
soleRebels, as it is described by its founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, began as an idea: that members of their community could apply the artisan skills they had perfected over decades, and create a fair trade footwear business, which would in turn create jobs in an area where unemployment was predominant. Since the business’ inception in 2004, Alemu, along with members of her family and community, have not only succeeded in creating over 140 jobs in an area where there were none, they also pay their employees 4 times the legal minimum wage, provide 100% medical coverage, and create education funds for their employees’ children.
By manufacturing their wide range of footwear using locally sourced and sustainable materials – such as organic hand-spun cotton, koba plant fibers, jute, leathers from free range farms, and of course recycled tires for soles – soleRebels has managed to create an efficient and environmentally-friendly business model without sacrificing style in its fashions. soleRebels even foregoes the need for unnecessary shoeboxes by shipping all of their sandals, slippers, and shoes (with boots arriving in the fall) in hand-loomed “cinchsaks” made from organic cotton. In recent years, high profile celebrity philanthropists have emphasized the need to provide charity to these impoverished regions of Africa. Much to the contrary, soleRebels emphasizes, and possibly defines its business by, the following: “more trade, not more aid.”
soleRebels shoes (photo by Ryan King)
The inspiring words from Alemu on the subject speak for themselves:
“Trade is such an essential key to Africa’s upliftment as it is the key to job creation, income realization and ultimately, if conducted on the right terms, that all too elusive thing that sustains us all – hope.”
Perhaps what could be called the anti-sweatshop, soleRebels continues to show the world that sustainable and fair-trade practices work, and be a shining example for members of the global community. For more information on soleRebels, or to buy their shoes online, visit www.solerebelsfootwear.co
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