Archive for May, 2010
Fairtrade purchases hit €3.4 Billion
Yesterday the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) announced that despite facing one of the most difficult economic years on record, consumers spent an estimated €3.4 Billion on Fairtrade products in 2009 – a 15% increase over the previous year. Cocoa and sugar farmers experienced among the strongest leap in sales, 35% and 57% respectively, thanks in [...]
The ‘Mickey Mouse’ Money Model
Last week saw the launch of a South East group for the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR). ECCR works for economic justice, human rights and environmental sustainability and engages with organisations and individuals on issues of how to use money to match values. The guest speaker at the launch event was Dr Robert Howell [...]
Congratulations Joe Human MBE
You may remember that back in January we announced that Shared Interest member Joe Human was to be awarded an MBE for services to Oxfam and the Fair Trade movement. We are delighted to say that Joe was presented with the award at Buckingham Palace last Friday, after years of voluntary work; the prestigious award [...]
World Fair Trade Day
There was candy floss, music and all the fun of the fair. The London Fair Trade Festival ran from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon last weekend. The event celebrated World Fair Trade Day and involved a number of fair trade organisations including Visionary Soap, Cafedirect, Zaytoun, Tropical Wholefoods and of course Shared Interest. Although the [...]
Crafts, Rice and Banana Wine!
The KOAKI Co-operative we visited in Rwanda was one of the most welcoming and generous, and also one of the most disadvantaged. Based near Bugesera, to the South of Kigali, the members have a very small amount of land and small, basic houses and little else. They struggle to clothe and feed themselves and their [...]
Cleaning up – soap and sales
The cosmetics company, Dusabane who we visited in Eastern Rwanda has an unusual and inspiring tale of enterprising spirit in difficult circumstances. The co-operative’s President fled to Uganda during the 1994 genocide. Whilst living as a refugee, a friend taught him how to use aloe vera plants to make soap and moisturising cream, using only [...]
A few years ago I thought that was impossible. Now, it seems possible.
I have known Cards from Africa for a few years now and walking into their building on the outskirts of Kigali is always a great experience, the whole building buzzes with busy card makers who clearly enjoy coming to work. They currently employ over 50 card makers all of whom have a story to tell. [...]
Bead Making in Rwanda
On day two we visited a women’s cooperative, Buranga, on a hillside in the outskirts of Kigali. It was rainy season so it took us a while to get there. Donatien’s car skidded and jerked around on the steep muddy dirt tracks and Andrea and I had to get out several times to lighten the [...]
Dancing, cows and kindness in Rwanda
Welcome to day one of our Rwandan retrospect! As Louise mentioned last week, our 10 days in Rwanda were very hectic, we had lots of producer groups to visit. Our first day took us to Rwanda Work of Art, a craft business that has been part of the Rwanda Producer Support project from the beginning. [...]
Want to win £40 of Ethical Superstore vouchers?
Happy World Fair Trade Day to one and all! As Sally mentioned earlier last week there are various events celebrating World Fair Trade Day running around the country this weekend but if you’d like to be involved without leaving your computer we can help! Below is a picture of our trusty fair trade banana, your [...]