Archive for November, 2008
It is worth it if we can change one, only one life!
The following is a Business Development Update by Rachel Ngondo, Regional Development Executive, Africa
I hope you all have a had a good week. It is always a pleasure to tell you what I have been up to.
In the past two weeks I have been busy meeting and visiting various producers and as always, I [...]
Tales from the Riverbank
I sat down to write my blog today, hoping to capture the utter chaos of our most recent Kilimanjaro training session. However, realising that perhaps the protagonist may be best placed to spin the yarn and I leave you with the story from climbing buddy Neil’s point of view….!
“With a riverbank on our doorstep that [...]
Starbucks UK and Fairtrade Foundation Announce Industry Leading Support for Small-Scale Coffee Farmers
On 25 November Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks came to London to announce that 100% of the Starbucks espresso coffee sold in the UK and Ireland will become both Starbucks ™ Shared Planet™ and Fairtrade Certified by the end of 2009. This represents the vast majority of Starbucks beverages in the UK. A strong vote [...]
Be Like Boy Scouts!
With just over two months to go, it was time to step up the training…so I booked the week off from Shared Interest Foundation to immerse myself in my new fitness regime!
To kick things off, Neil and I headed to the Cheviots.
Now, I have to say that I don’t have the fondest memories of these [...]
Stairway to the Stars
Apparently the stars will be following in our footsteps after we climb Kilimanjaro next year.
Yep, according to the reports of a certain daily newspaper, the likes of Ronan Keating, Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole and Denise Van Outen will all be scaling the heights for another worthwhile cause.
Gary Barlow who is organising the trip said: “The [...]
A Night in the Fair-trade Life of a Supporter Relations Officer for Shared Interest
My evenings activity last night was attending the Ethical Christmas Emporium in London. Hosted by Hand Up Media and including the launch of the new Jellied Eel magazine, ‘London’s Leading Magazine for Ethical Eating’ which Shared Interest now sponsors.
I arrive at Waterloo station and head for the OXO tower Bargehouse. I get a little [...]
We have a bit of a Mountain to Climb!
After an extremely generous donation of £5K, we are now a third of the way towards achieving our fundraising goal.
This money will be a massive help in launching our training project in Swaziland, helping thousands of producers build sustainable businesses as well as raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, which is crucial in a country that currently [...]
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough? How about Kilimanjaro?
Yes you have read correctly; my colleague Neil Stoker and I will be climbing the highest free standing mountain in the world to raise money for Shared Interest Foundation Swaziland Project.
Over seven gruelling days we will be walking 20,000 feet to reach the summit, which is the highest point on the African continent!
This is all [...]
Pioneering South to South Fair Trade
A DIARY OF A TRIP TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA FOR PATRICIA ALEXANDER, ELISABETH WILSON AND HUGO VILLELA
Thursday 6 November
We awoke to the shocking news that the Bank of England has lowered UK interest rates by 1.5% to 3%. This coupled with the strengthened Dollar will have a big impact on our business.
We spent today [...]
Finding Faith in Fair Trade from Shared Interest
A DIARY OF A TRIP TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA FOR PATRICIA ALEXANDER, ELISABETH WILSON AND HUGO VILLELA
By Elisabeth Wilson
Wednesday 5 November
Despite now starting to flag slightly, this is the part of the trip to which Patricia and I had particularly been looking forward as this is where our current Latin America office is [...]