Yushu Earthquake Relief

We write this information with a heavy heart but call people to get involved. An earthquake hit the area of Yushu on the Tibetan Plateau in China. The quake measured 6.9 according to the US Geological Survey. 90% of the homes were destroyed, killing between 400-1000 (400 confirmed with a an estimated additional 200-600 presumed dead), and leaving hundreds others wounded and homeless in an area where 200 days of the year are below freezing. There are teams of ex-pats forming in Xining and preparing to go in and assess needs, but inevitably the overwhelming need will be money. I know that a lot of people have already given of themselves to the Haiti relief funds, and so forth, but we beg you to not stop giving. Give until it hurts your pocketbook and maybe then you will have but a taste of what 95% of the world's population lives with every day. If you yourself can't give, please, scope out your realm of influence, friends, and family and pass this information along so that others can get involved.

Our non-profit organization, First Asia Development, has done community development work in the town of Yushu for years. We are heading up a relief fund for this devastating earthquake so please, get involved. No donation is too small and it will go to help fund rescue, medical needs, and then overall community rehabilitation once the mess has been sorted through. Simply click on the button that looks like the First Asia Development logo in the bottom left hand side of the screen and make a donation now.

Donations are tax deductible, as we are a non-profit, if you include contact information so we can get a "giving statement" to you.

Thank you in advance for your support, selflessness, and involvement.

Halos for Hope

At Jade Tree, we are in the process of launching what we think will be a great product to help raise awareness and support for our project and help with the continual work in Yushu. In doing some research, I found that in 2008, a Chinese media medium reported annual average income in rural areas of Tibet were $450 US dollars. That is $1.23 per day to provide food, shelter, medical expenses, and clothing. With our "Halos for Hope" initiative, if you purchase one bangle or bracelet, you basically provide the equivalent of a day's wage to a person in Tibet. Now, that being said, let me assure you that we pay our employees well above what is considered average, surpassing even the requirements of "Fair Trade."

Help us continue to impact this area of tremendous poverty by purchasing a Halo for Hope bangle and know that you are helping to battle for people who can't fight for themselves. Help us provide a way for workers in Yushu to pave a way for the community out of historical rut of poverty. Look for us at retail shops in your area soon. If there is a boutique shop in your area where you would like to see our bangles, let us know, and let THEM know you would like to purchase our products through them.

GO JADE TREE LOYAL ARMY!

Coming Soon!

With the downward spiral of the global economy came a demoralizing blow to the markets of high end luxury items worldwide. Rug sales are at 1/8th what they were just a couple of years ago. What does this mean for fans and friends of the Jade Tree brand? We are DIVERSIFYING!!!!

The same high quality wool textile work that once brought you some of the world's most beautiful high end rugs is now being implemented to manufacture wonderful smaller, more affordable items. Our line will include pillows, coasters, table runners, floor mats, place settings, some outerwear such as hats, scarves, and gloves, and some beautiful bracelets and bangles. We should have product samples in by the end of the month and will be pushing products into stores hopefully by March of this year. These are very exciting times within Jade Tree. Thank you to everyone who has helped get us to the point where we are today. Please, tell your friends about our story and thank you for helping battle in the fight against poverty in the world. May you have a blessed weekend.