The Welcome Mat celebrated their Grand Opening on September 23, 2011. The Welcome Mat, located at 309 E. Lincolnway, brings "fair trade" goods to our area from all over the world.
By buying goods from artisans and farmers who participate in the "fair trade" program, The Welcome Mat helps ensure the artisan earns a fair, livable wage, which helps boost the local economy from where the goods are traded. This also helps to break the cycle of poverty.
Often the projects are environmentally friendly, because local artisans are making the goods instead of big corporations.
The Welcome Mat is an initiative of the Valparaiso International Center (V.I.C.). The V.I.C. was organized 3 years ago. One of it's intentions is to bring international groups together, as well as help Valpo citizens learn more about their cultures.
One of the latest programs to come to the V.I.C. in the past two years is The 4th Friday Series. On the 4th Friday of every month, The Welcome Mat hosts a cultural program. Some of the presentations have included information from Egypt, China and Japan. Last month it featured Peru.
Professor of Latin American Studies from Purdue North Central, Kenny Kincaid, along with his wife Sonia, presented guests with an exchange of Peruvian culture. Specifically, general politics in relation to the latest election and national pride. Kincaid gave a presentation about Peru while his wife, wearing authentic Peruvian attire, danced the Harvest Dance. Sonia also provided guests with authentic Peruvian food for guests to sample.
Next month, the program will be about Burma, now called Myanmar located on the Asian continent. Presenting will be Surjit Patheja.
The Grand Opening of The Welcome Mat focused on India. Professor of Economics at Valparaiso University Jaishankar Raman talked about modern India, and how India has changed from it's independence in 1947 to the economic transformation since 1991.
Raman spoke of the growth India has had in the last 20 years, saying "Everyone is taking notice. The growth has meant more opportunities for India because they are becoming wealthier, so they travel and spend more. More opportunity for countries like the United States open up. Companies like Apple, with the iPad and iPhone, and car companies are interested and going to India." While not leaving out how diverse India is, Raman mentioned that India has the extremely wealthy and the extremely poor.
The presentation of Indian cultural by Professor Raman was the highlight of the evening. While the guests listened to the presentation they dined on tapas from Don Quijote and shopped in the The Welcome Mat's store of international goods. At The Welcome Mat, there is everything from hand made jewelry, scarves and purses to hand-carved stools to purchase.
To learn more about The Welcome Mat, visit www.thewelcomemat.org.
To learn more about the Valparaiso International Center (V.I.C.) visit www.valpovic.org.