PAMBE Ghana Global Market 2011

Shop for a Cause – Fourth Annual PAMBE Ghana Market Opens at Nichols Hills Plaza

Fair-trade handmade crafts created by artisans from around the world are available in Oklahoma City at PAMBE Ghana Global Market for a two-month run this fall, beginning Friday, November 4.  Located at Nichols Hills Plaza at 6446 Avondale Drive, the market is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., and by appointment, through December 24. 

Market products include hundreds of items from around the world like Peruvian pottery, Guatemalan textiles, Bolivian alpaca sweaters and shawls, African woven baskets, Haitian metal art and coffees from several countries.  “The many products we offer are unique, in that they are handmade by individuals who are being paid a fair wage for their work, and they are beautiful, so they make great personal use and gift items,” says Linda Temple, market volunteer responsible for coordinating product ordering.   

PAMBE Ghana, a not-for-profit educational program for children in northern Ghana, Africa, founded by former Oklahoma City educator and resident Alice Iddi-Gubbels, is the beneficiary of market sales proceeds.  Begun in 2008, the PAMBE Ghana educational model Iddi-Gubbels oversees integrates three key components: mother-tongue and English language proficiency, relevance, and a learner-centered approach, in addition to embracing a process that links culture, language, literacy and academic performance. 

Now in its fourth year, PAMBE Ghana’s Global Market is operated entirely by central Oklahoma volunteers.  Underwriting sponsors include OPUBCO, Chesapeake Energy, Garden Gate Antiques, and learning tree toys, books & games, inc.

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Alice Azumi Iddi-Gubbels, Executive Director, will be in Oklahoma City during November 2011.  To launch her tour, she will be at the Global Market during the Grand Opening on November 5th from 6 - 10 p.m.