y development cooperation co.,Ltd. Thailand

The Y. Development Cooperation Company Limited, is known as YC, was set up within the YMCA in order to market products internationally YC chooses products which will have an international appeal and helps design the products for this particular market. YC ensures that all products exported are high quality. Export markets are encouraged only as a supplement to local markets; Profits from exporting go into the YMCA's rural development program and shared among the producers themselves in a way that will benefit their community. Since 1982, The YMCA of Chiangmai has been exporting handicrafts to alternative trade organizations (ATO's) around the world. The aim is to help the poor villagers in Northern Thailand by giving them a way to earn a living. A two pronged method is used to accomplish this. First, villagers are taught by NGO's and GO's to made and market products, some of these villagers are already highly skilled. Second, once the villagers become proficient at the skill, the YMCA helps market the product locally and internationally. As a first step, the YMCA provides vocational training to the villagers, the subject of which varies depends upon the request of the villagers and the natural resources available. The YMCA encourages traditional crafts such as basket or cotton weaving, In other cases, skills such as sewing, wood carving or ceramics are initiated. The trainers are either YMCA staff from the Community Development Department or villagers who have attended special handicraft training courses. A net work has been established in Northern Thailand to offer producers local sales opportunities. At present, YC has set up cooperation with more than 30 producers groups as our production partnerships. We generate employment for more than 500 people. As for trading partners, we have contracts with more than 46 organization from 16 countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Most of them belong to the ATOs which are advocates for fair trades with Third World Countries. So, the foreign markets are the main channel of getting orders while the local marketing is considered as a supplementary for generating incomes for our producers.