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See School Fairtrade Action Below
Pembrokeshire Fairtrade Fortnight Focus
Fairtrade supporters are encouraging individuals, schools, groups, Churches and clubs (especially chocolate lovers!) to consider the people behind their products, particularly this FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT: 25th FEBRUARY – 10th MARCH.
Fairtrade Fortnight is the highlight of the year for the Fairtrade movement. 2019 not only marks the momentous occasion of 25 years of Fairtrade, but the beginning of an ambitious three-year campaign called She Deserves. The campaign aims to introduce a living income for all, highlighting the things we might take for granted (including treats like chocolate!) in a world where many farmers and workers can’t afford life’s essentials.
This year Fairtrade is encouraging shoppers to buy more Fairtrade because farmers and workers deserve a fair deal – one that leads to them earning a living income. Fairtrade has done much to improve the lives of many, but it’s not enough, fast enough.
Many farmers and workers – both men and women – are underpaid and exploited. That means they can’t earn enough for the basics many of us take for granted, including food, education, healthcare and housing.
A living income is a fundamental goal for Fairtrade, and nowhere is the need for a living income more clear than in the cocoa industry. Europe is the world’s biggest importer of cocoa [1] yet 70% of that cocoa is produced in West Africa, and 43% of worldwide output comes from the Côte d'Ivoire, where one in six of the population is employed in the cocoa sector[2]. Yet a shocking 60% of all cocoa farmers live below the
poverty line.
That’s why, starting this Fairtrade Fortnight, you can help.
“We have power in our hands to improve lives. By choosing Fairtrade certified products we give people a chance of a better life. It’s not charity it’s about basic human rights for the people who grow and make the things we buy. Together we can make a difference.” Says Sharron Hardwick – Founder of the Fair Trade In Football And Rugby Campaign.
Fairtrade is the only certifier to provide a safety net of a minimum price for farmers in times of global price decline, plus a premium, an extra amount of money that goes directly to workers to invest in business or community projects of their choice in their own communities.
Chocolate is about enjoyment, indulgence, gifts and celebration.
Looking for the Fairtrade Mark when you shop means you can enjoy a taste of chocolate indulgence and support a move towards a living income.
That goes for sports balls too.
Jamie Barrellie, Coach for South Pembs Sharks Girls Hub and WRU GMG Girls officer, is a firm supporter of Bala Sport Fairtrade stitched rugby balls. The South Pembs Sharks girl’s rugby players have been using Fairtrade rugby balls since last year: “The Fairtrade Bala Sport Team rugby balls are quality balls that withstand all weathers, training and game situations. Knowing the background of the balls and where they have been made makes us at the Sharks proud to be part of this project.”
Stand up for workers this Fairtrade Fortnight and look for Fairtrade products to show you believe that ‘She Deserves’.
To get involved visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
For Fairtrade Sports Balls: www.balaposrt.co.uk
For information on Fair Trade In Football And Rugby Campaign: www.fairtradeinfootball.com find the campaign on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/fairtradeinfootball/
[1] Standard International Trade Classification data, OEC visualisations:
https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/hs92/1801/
[2] Cocoa Barometer 2018
http://cocoabarometer.org/Cocoa_Barometer/Download_files/2018%20Cocoa%20Barometer.pdf
St Teilos Take Fairtrade Fortnight Action
by Sharron Stokieshazer Hardwick
Pupils and teachers from St Teilos have been sharing and learning about the difference that Fairtrade makes this Fairtrade Fortnight: 25th February – 10th March.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 not only marks the momentous occasion of 25 years of Fairtrade, it’s the beginning of an ambitious three year campaign called She Deserves. The campaign aims to introduce a living income for all.
Six year four pupils acted in Monday morning’s assembly led and created by Sharron Hardwick of the Fair Trade In Football Campaign, supported by Wales Council for Voluntary Action grant funding.
Sharron introduced three pupils playing the parts of a football stitcher, a banana farmer and a cocoa producer. They shared how despite working really hard they were often underpaid and exploited which meant they do not earn enough for the basics many of us take for granted, including food, education, healthcare and housing.
They were then introduced to three more pupils playing the part of: Fairtrade Mark, Living Wage and Fairtrade Premium.
The good news was shared by Fairtrade Mark that products bearing the Mark guarantee workers receive a fair deal, with safe working conditions and more.
The living income character explained that a fundamental goal for Fairtrade is the need for a living income so workers have enough to pay for their basic needs and have the chance to save for unexpected events and to retire with dignity.
The pupil playing Fairtrade Premium shared how Fairtrade is the only certifier to provide a safety net of a minimum price for farmers in times of global price decline; plus the Fairtrade Premium, an extra amount of money from each product that goes direct to workers to invest in business or community projects of their choice in their own communities.
The three pupils playing the part of workers then shared how Fairtrade had improved their lives and everyone was encouraged to see the difference our Fairtrade choices can make.
St Teilos School were reminded that we have power in our hands to make a positive difference and they encourage everyone starting this Fairtrade Fortnight to use their power to help others.
“We have power in our hands to improve lives. By choosing Fairtrade certified products we give people a chance of a better life. Workers deserve at least basic human rights, they work hard to grow and make the things we buy. Together we can make a difference.” Says Sharron Hardwick.
We enjoy the food and products we buy, looking for the Fairtrade Mark when you shop means you can enjoy these things and support a move towards a living income.
“Thanks to Sharron Hardwick and pupils from Class 4 for an interesting assembly on Fairtrade. Please ask your children about it and try to buy Fairtrade goods.” Said Head Teacher Mrs Angie Nicholls on the St Teilos Facebook page.
Why not stand up for workers this Fairtrade Fortnight and look for Fairtrade products to show you believe that ‘She Deserves’.
If you would like to get involved visit www.fairtrade.org.ukhttp://www.fairtrade.org.uk/…/Current-c…/Fairtrade-Fortnight
For information on the Fair Trade In Football Campaign visit www.fairtradeinfootball.com or find the Fair Trade In Football And
Rugby Campaign on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/fairtradeinfootball/
Fair Trade In Football And Rugby Campaign - www.fairtradeinfootball.com
Tavernspite Take Fairtrade Action
Pupils at Tavernspite County Primary School are taking action to help ensure workers and farmers in developing countries get a fair deal by using, learning and sharing about Fairtrade. During Fairtrade fortnight Sharron Hardwick visited class 4 and 5 to talk about the difference that Fairtrade makes and how our choices can help improve people’s lives.
The Fairtrade Fortnight focus was on cocoa and each class learned about the whole process from tree to shops. Following the Fairtrade foundation school’s resources the pupils heard how cocoa farmers are struggling to meet their basic needs despite working really hard. They were pleased to hear about the difference Fairtrade has made to the lives of cocoa farmers meaning that they have safe and fair working conditions, with no forced or child labour, they get at least a minimum price for their cocoa and that Fairtrade is moving towards all workers getting a living wage. They were especially encouraged to hear about Fairtrade Premiums, the extra money paid per Fairtrade item sold. These funds are used by the community to pay for whatever that community needs, be it education, health care, clean water and more.
As the school focus on healthy living, rather than bringing in Fairtrade chocolate, Sharron brought in a range of Fairtrade beauty products for the class to see and smell, she then set some work for the pupils to design their own Fairtrade products.
Class 5 demonstrated creativity when designing their own Fairtrade products. Some chose Fairtrade Chocolate or fruit bars, while others focused on Fairtrade beauty products.
“Class 5 obviously worked hard. Their designs displayed creative product ideas, they even considered the unique selling point and the target market for their products, a real professional job!” Shared Sharron Hardwick
Pupils in class 4 went a step further as they focused on Fairtrade in their learning logs, producing some excellent work.
“I’m so impressed with the hard work, research and presentations shown in class 4s work logs. I especially liked how one pupil focused on Fairtrade football, not only showing facts, figures and interesting information; they actually found a football pattern, cut it out and made a football by stitching the pentagons and hexagons which they showed to the class. How amazing is that! Another pupil took to field work visiting the local COOP asking staff about Fairtrade products too. Fairtrade is obviously something Tavernspite pupils care about and this reflected in their learning logs.” continued Sharron.
Schools Give Fairtrade Rugby A Try
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Keeping in line with their healthy schools focus pupils at Tavernspite County Primary school are taking part in rugby coaching sessions, led by Lloyd Phillips the Pembrokeshire college rugby development officer.
The sessions give Pembrokeshire pupils the chance to enjoy playing rugby and thanks to Wales Council For Voluntary Action grant funding they are now using Fairtrade Bala Team rugby balls too. Sharron Hardwick of the Fair Trade In Football and Rugby Campaign, Kilgetty, presented Tavernspite with 2 Fairtrade rugby balls and donated a further 10 Fairtrade rugby balls to Lloyd for his rugby sessions in schools.
“The children have thoroughly enjoyed improving their rugby skills with the coaches, one of whom is an ex Tavernspite pupil! As we are a Fairtrade School we are thrilled that the rugby balls we are playing with are all Fairtrade. The pupils care very much about Fairtrade issues.” said Class 4 Teacher Julie Houghton.
After several months of extensive development and testing, Bala Sport are really proud of their quality Fairtrade rugby balls made at the new factory in India. The production facility, in fact, has made a little bit of Fairtrade history by becoming the first sports ball factory outside of Pakistan to gain Fairtrade certification. All the elements of these hand-stitched balls are locally sourced.
The spec of the balls was developed with three Scottish rugby clubs, two in the Premier League and one in the First Division. The hand-crafted durability and high specifications of the Bala Team rugby balls donated to Lloyd make them a great choice for schools and grassroots clubs.
“It is great to see these excellent rugby sessions taking place, the children really enjoyed the session I visited and they loved the Fairtrade rugby balls too. The coach said that he liked the balls especially noting their great grip. The fact that they provide all the benefits of Fairtrade to the workers adds a new element to the game meaning both local schools and the rugby ball stitching communities are supported.” Shared Sharron.
To find out more about Fairtrade visit: www.fairtrade.org.uk
Fairtrade Sports Balls: www.balasport.co.uk
Fair Trade In Football And Rugby Campaign - www.fairtradeinfootball.com