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.
10 comments:
It does your heart good to hear those children did such a fantastic thing. Well done to them all!
Ah that fills me with hope that does. I'm a big fan of fairtrade chocolate - tastes good and feels good to be eating it.
Ciao Antonella!
What a lovely idea! I like Fair Trade products: they are very good and I always buy cocoa, brown sugar, chocolate, tea and sometimes coffee too.
Prices are right, not so expensive and quality is the best. But the most important thing is that you are giving a chance for improving life to the people in the South of the world! And it's good for me! ;)
How lovely. And schol is such a powerful palce to plant such altruistic ideals. I still always buy Fair Trade bananas after my son came home form school to tell me about the life of the banana growers.
This really does fill you with warmth and hope. what a wonderful things those children did.
@ChrisB: It's good that they learn life is not an eternal game and start take some responsibility. Thanks for commenting.
@Steve: Good that you like FT chocolate but if you look around in the shops you can find more FT goods. I think it's worth paying just a little bit more to contribute to something good. Thanks for passing by!
@Danda: I'm glad you have Fairtrade in Italy as well. It's time that people all over rally together to help keeping just and fair conditions for the foreign producers.
@Jane: Well done, you start from bananas and who knows where you will end up. I suppose you know that there are fairtrade clothes as well. Ben seems a very clever and sensitive boy!Congratulations!
@Heather: I think there is much you can learn from children. Whatever they do they do it from their heart. Thanks from coming around from your Lapland home!
What a lovely and inspirational post, that really shows what can be done, especially when the kids are doing it!!
Great talented children you have. More responsible and thoughtful than many adults. Thanks for sharing, Antonella.
@SR@MyStyle aka Sharon Rose: Yes, I think kids can make a massive impact on our life and on our future. We should all have more faith in them. Ciao.
@MG: My daughter is lucky enough to be in a good school and have good friends and this helps a lot when they are still growing. Ciao.
I specifically buy Fairtrade coffee. I know just what you're talking about.
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