Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer with locations in Ephrata and at Rockvale Outlets, Lancaster, recently expanded their line of organically grown and fairly traded shea butter soaps made by women artisans in Ghana. The soaps are lightly scented with fragrances of rosemary, eucalyptus and mint, as well as tea tree oil and lemon.

The shea tree grows naturally only in the wilderness and farmlands of Africa, where women have celebrated its benefits for generations. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, F and K, natural shea butter is used for a variety of therapeutic purposes that include protecting skin from the sun; nourishing dry and broken hair; caring for sensitive skin during breastfeeding; providing relief from minor skin ailments and burns; and maintaining soft, lustrous skin.

Hand-processing shea butter from the seeds of the fruit provides work for economically marginalized women that often have no other source of income. Through fair trade with Ten Thousand Villages, artisans receive a fair price for their products, consistent orders and dignified working conditions, allowing them to improve their lives, send their children to school and create a brighter future. Ten Thousand Villages also sells fairly traded home decor items, jewelry and personal accessories handcrafted from recycled and sustainable materials.

For locations and more information, call 717-405-4082, email [email protected] or visit TenThousandVillages.com