About Us Unique World Gifts is located just off Highway 127 North in the Viewmont community of Hickory, North Carolina (click here for directions). Unique World Gifts was established in 1992 by the Hickory Mennonite Church, some local citizens, and in partnership with Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit, fair-trade organization run by Mennonites. Ten Thousand Villages provides a system for distribution of products and the training for the production techniques and marketing for local artisans throughout the impoverished countries of the Third World. Approximately 60,000 artisans benefit from the efforts of Ten Thousand Villages and stores like Unique World Gifts which sell their products. As a non-profit enterprise, UWG is dependent on volunteers. At least 46 volunteers assist in the operation of the store in some way.