The Last Day of School

My daughter’s last day of primary school was really exhausting and very emotional too. I had expected to be like this but I did not foresee this sense loss I’m feeling at the moment. The girls and boys were brilliant during their leavers’ assembly, remembering the old times, the first day of school seven years ago, the funny moments, the important ones and above their affection for one another. For me it was just like a minute a go, for them it is already two thirds of their lives.
And although I understand that my little baby girl is not really that “little” any more (actually she is taller than me now!) and that she is mature enough and ready to go on to secondary school, I do not feel ready to “let her go”. The 'big' new school does not intimidate her but it frightens me. She won’t be alone there, but I won’t be around the corner if she needs me. She won’t be in her small cosy school any more... And she is already slipping away from me…I’m selfish, I know…but I love her...

The Big Swap

Fairtrade Fortnight is when UK retailers, licensees, businesses, producers and campaigners are brought together to promote, buy and think Fairtrade.

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

I know you’ve heard of this before. But did you pay attention? Did you do anything about it? Did you do your swap to Fairtrade products? And then did you keep to your swap? I tried last year, but then I forgot and I was only reminded of Fairtrade whenever I saw the logo.

But today I’ve learnt my lesson and I hope I won’t forget anymore. And this lesson came from my daughter’s year 5/6 class. A few weeks ago they read about Fairtrade in a magazine and a group of 10-11 years old boys and girls decided to take action. They went to their headmaster and asked for permission to host a Fairtrade party in school. It was today and it was brilliant.

(Some of the "Fairtrade Girls")

It took them weeks to organize everything but they did it all on their own. They wrote to Fairtrade requesting a starter pack, they contacted shops and stores with Fairtrade products asking for contributions, free items etc., then they baked cakes and prepared their drinks (tea, coffee, juices, all strictly Fairtrade products). It was a proper party, no money was asked for cakes and drinks, the kids just sold raffle tickets to cover the cost of the ingredients.

There was music, entertainment, a small stall with Fairtrade goods, a giant screen with images of third world countries producing food for us and lots and lots of fun. Just to promote Fairtrade.

I was impressed. Parents, teachers, friends were all impressed by the hard work and enthusiasm of these young people. They say that kids are our future. It’s true.