Author Archive
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. [...]
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. [...]
Great North 10k Fun Run
My last batch of fundraising ideas consisted of culinary delights and tasty treats. Great for raising money… not so good for the waistline! Add Easter into the equation and x = need to exercise2 I have rallied up some troops in the office, those willing include: Steve Willis – IT Manager Jane Burns – Business [...]
My Return to Rwanda
As the UK feels the effects of the economic downturn, countries like Rwanda – that were struggling before the economic decline – are now faced with the crippling effects of rising food prices and declining handicraft sales. In a bid to help Rwandan businesses survive the global recession, Shared Interest Foundation, with help from the [...]
Fundraising ideas with an “eggstra” special Easter treat!
So you have signed up to the £1,000 challenge and you have your Saddle Skedaddle trip all planned out. All that stands between you and your free trip to Kenya, Costa Rica or Peru is that pesky £1,000 that you still need to raise. A group of us in the Shared Interest office have signed [...]
£1,000 Challenge – People helping people
It is sometimes difficult for us to understand the immense impact that donors to Shared Interest Foundation have on the lives of thousands of individuals and their families across the developing world. The farmers and craft makers that benefit from our support are, quite simply people like you and me, people who are trying to [...]
How you can provide hope for Haiti
We have all seen the horrific results of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti without warning. The Shared Interest Foundation Livelihood Security Fund was established in 2009 to assist Fairtrade craft makers and farmers during disasters. The fund helps to rebuild businesses and communities. Haiti based Shared Interest customers Comite Artisanal Haitien (CAH), who work [...]
Panic in Pakistan
On 4 January 2010 the Hunza District of Pakistan was hit by a devastating landslide. Two villages, including Atta Abad, were forced into the Hunza River. Parts of the main road between Pakistan and China have been destroyed and remaining debris is now blocking the course of the river, which could lead to severe flooding. [...]
Philippines, Haiti and Pakistan….what do they have in common?
Many of us over the festive period were spending time with loved ones, snuggling up on the sofa with the new DVD we got for Christmas and indulging in way too much food and wine. While others all around the globe were struck, without warning by landslides, typhoons and earthquakes. Haiti, the Philippines and Pakistan [...]
Cards From Africa, a Fair Trade Success
As I set foot inside Cards from Africa, I was immersed into a bustling environment of people sitting around wooden tables, gluing, cutting, bending and laughing as they hand-make each card. The results are beautiful but as I sat and chatted with a group of ladies at one table I soon realised that their stories [...]