{"title":"Union of Peasants for Self Development","description":"Artisans working with the Union of Peasants for Self Development (UPAP) make traditional Tuareg handicrafts. The Tuareg, nomadic herders of Saharan north and west Africa, now also work as traders or cultivate crops in fertile oases. Tuareg artisans of UPAP use income from craft production to supplement their subsistence farming and other livelihoods.In 1993, young craftspeople in Terhazer, a village near Agadez, the largest city of northern Niger, organized to create leather handicrafts and silver jewelry. After traveling through France, selling from backpacks for several years, Illies Mouhmoud and his friends organized formally and began UPAP in 1999. UPAP now has shops in Niamey, Niger's capital, and in Agadez, and participates in local African fairs. UPAP also sells to fair trade organizations in France and North America. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from UPAP since 2002.","products":[{"product_id":"amellal-tuareg-silver-pendant-necklace","title":"Amellal Tuareg Silver Pendant Necklace","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis magnificent necklace from Niger is masterfully handcrafted from fine silver decoratively etched and inlaid with ebony. A red agate stone is the center of the half-moon adds the perfect pop of color to off-set the ebony and string of silver and black beads. A Ten Thousand Villages Exclusive. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ten Thousand Villages","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50382270497071,"sku":"1301130","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/9356\/1135\/files\/1301130_0002.jpg?v=1727185261"},{"product_id":"amellal-tuareg-silver-drop-earrings","title":"Amellal Tuareg Silver Drop Earrings","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese beautifully crafted earrings from Niger are fashioned from fine silver that’s etched with a striking geometric pattern. Oval agate and beads of obsidian and silver top the silver discs and French hooks bring the whole look together. A Ten Thousand Villages Exclusive. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ten Thousand Villages","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50382270529839,"sku":"1301140","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/9356\/1135\/files\/1301140_0001.jpg?v=1727185210"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.tenthousandvillages.mom\/collections\/union-of-peasants-for-self-develop.oembed","provider":"Ten Thousand Villages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}