Archive for September, 2008
FTF Commentary: The Credit Crisis and Fair Trade – possible consequences for producers, wholesalers and retailers
A string of financial problems within the US and world economy, triggered by a US housing crisis, have arisen in 2008. The question becomes how may these global problems manifest themselves within the Fair Trade world? When it seems that sales are solid – and many fair trade businesses are continuing to outshine the [...]
Party At The Palace
The following is from Andrea Wilkinson’s travel blog.
Do you know what the Swazi’s definitely know how to do well?
Party!
They have a whole range of festivals throughout the year. One of the most sacred is the Incwala. This is the first fruits ceremony, where the king gives permission for his people to eat the new crops [...]
Looking for Fair Trade Producers in Colombia
The following is a Business Development Update by Hugo Villela, Regional Development Executive
I am currently in Fruandes, a Colombian IFAT certified organization in Bogota. My objective is to get a better understanding of Colombia’s current political and economic climate to see if Shared Interest can effectively provide lending for Colombian fair trade organizations.
Bogata [...]
‘Alternative rich list’ announced
By David Ainsworth, Third Sector Online, 30 September 2008
Not-for-profit recruitment event Forum3 has devised an ‘alternative rich list’, which recognises people whose lives are rich because of what they give rather than their financial wealth.
Forum3 received 90 nominees and 900 votes for the list. The winners are Hugo Villela from cooperative lender Shared Interest, [...]
The Frog Chorus
The following is from Andrea Wilkinson’s travel blog.
After a long day, I was ready for a nice hot shower and an early night!
But I arrived at my B&B to discover that – yet again – there was no electricity.
Hunting for my torch (essential for anyone travelling to Swaziland) I also located the candles and jumped [...]
Shared Interest / Fair Trade Business Development Report – Africa
The following is a weekly report from Rachel Ngondo, Market Development Executive – E. Africa.
There is always something new I learn from producers with whom I work and I’m always in awe of how much impact Shared Interest and Fair Trade make in their lives. Last week I told you about the Namayiana Maasai [...]
Fundraising reaches the Peaks
Ever considered climbing Africa’s highest peak in the middle of winter? Shared Interest’s Andrea Wilkinson and Neil Stoker are doing just that next February in aid of the Foundation.
They will tackle Kilimanjaro’s snow capped peaks, towering over 6,000 metres high. The highest freestanding mountain in the world, it is created from three volcanoes: [...]
Spreading Awareness of Fair Trade
Working with partners in Africa and supporters in the UK we are identifying and assisting producer groups who can directly benefit from engaging with fair trade networks.
By the time you read this, Shared Interest Foundation Project Leader Andrea Wilkinson will have travelled from Newcastle to Johannesburg to Swaziland, Mpumalanga, Cape Town and back again!
Recording her [...]
Exchanging your Life for a Day
The following is from Andrea Wilkinson’s travel blog.
As I drive for two hours high up into the mountains to visit a remote producer group called Tinsaba, I already know that it’s going to be a great day.
Through the early morning mist, children sing and wave on their way to collect water and cows clearly rule [...]
The Power of Positive Thought….
The following is from Andrea Wilkinson’s travel blog.
…is not enough to restart my Internet connection. I write this between a series of power cuts that I’ve been blighted with most of the weekend. This is nothing too unusual for Swaziland as the break in electricity is as common here as it is in Rwanda, but [...]