“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 - Dubai, UAE 

Sabeena and Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE -#SheDeserves

This year I celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE with my sister Irem.

 

Irem introduces Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE

  

Fairtrade Foundation 2020 UK Campaign

This year the Fairtrade Foundation UK's campaign is all about the women, who grow the cocoa in the chocolate. The hashtag is #SHEDESERVES.

I was so pleased to learn about the House of Commons UK also supports Fairtrade Fortnight 2020.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 at the House of Commons, UK

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 at the House of Commons, UK

 

A Typical Cocoa FArmer in Cote D'Ivoire earns around 74p a day - Credit and Source Fairtrade Foundation UK

A Typical Cocoa Farmer in Cote D'Ivoire earns around 74p a day

Credit and Source Fairtrade Foundation UK


£1.86* is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income. 


Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p** a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty.

Take the Chocolate Challenge by clicking here

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 - Gallery

 Sabeena and Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE -#SheDeserves

Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE -#SheDeserves

 

Sabeena Ahmed models the fairtrade fortnight bag for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - The Little Fair Trade Shop

Sabeena modelling the fairtrade bag at Jumeirah Beach, Dubai

 

Divine Chocolate bars by The Little Fair Trade Shop and Sabeena Ahmed

 Divine Chocolate bars

 

Irem Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai UAE modelling Divine Chocolate Bars with Sabeena Ahmed 

Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE

Divine fairtrade chocolate

  

Fairtrade fortnight 2020 resources, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Fairtrade literature, Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 leaflet, stickers,

and Campaign Resource Pamphlet

 

Sabeena and Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE -#SheDeserves

Irem learns about fairtrade

 

 

Day 1 - What is Fairtrade?

This is question I get asked the most when people meet me.

Last year I was fortunate to visit Ms Moon Sharma of Tara Projects, Dehli, India and conducted a wonderful interview with her in English and Hindi/Urdu.

In this interview Ms Sharma explains what Fairtrade is in Hindi/Urdu.

What is Fairtrade, Fairtrade Kya Hai? Hindi/Urdu

 To read more about my interview with the graceful Ms Moon Sharma, Tara Projects, Dehli, India kindly click here.

 

Here is a lovely diagram produced by Traidcraft

What is Fairtrade diagram? Credit and Source Traidcraft UK

 

Day 2

I dedicate my interviews with Pakistani fairtrade producers The Dominion Traders and women's organisation (APWA) - The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftsman's Colony, Karachi, to my beloved Nani jaan (grandmother), Shamsun Nisa who returned to her maker this morning.

May God, Allah azza wa'ajal bless you with Paradise, Aameen!

Sabeena Ahmed with her maternal late grandmother Shamsun Nisa modelling a I support fairtrade T-shirt, Karahi, Pakistan

Sabeena Ahmed with her maternal late grandmother Shamsun Nisa modelling a

Support Fairtrade T-shirt, Karachi, Pakistan

 

The Dominion Traders 

 

The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmans Colony

 

 

Day 3

Thank you @FairtradeUK for all these fab fairtrade resources.

Love chocolate support fairtrade farmers like Rosine.

Sabeena and Irem Ahmed - supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources Credit: Fairtrade Foundation UK

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources Credit: Fairtrade Foundation UK

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources Credit: Fairtrade Foundation UK

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources

Credit: Fairtrade Foundation UK

 

 

Day 4

Love chocolate?
So do I!

I had the good fortune to attend a chocolate master class with Bruce Crowther MBE, November 2016.

I spent a productive morning learning how to produce fairly traded bean to bar chocolate.

Many thanks to Bruce Crowther MBE for his time, patience and compassion.

I managed to present the chocolate I made that day to Nadiya Hussain and Jo Malone. 

Interview with Bruce Crowther MBE

To read about my Chocolate Master Class with Bruce Crowther MBE kindly click here.

 

 

Day 5

TEACHING FAIR TRADE AT THE MANOR PRIMARY SCHOOL, DUBAI,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

I was invited by Manor Primary School and children of Year 5 to talk about fair trade.

Sabeena Ahmed teaching Year 5 fair trade at the Manor Primary School Dubai September 2017

Sabeena Ahmed with Mrs Mercer and Year 5 at the Manor Primary School

 

We started the lesson with the Chocolate Song.

 

The children watched a fairtrade video about Tayna a young girl who visited cocoa farmers and their communities in the Dominican Republic.

 

 

Children learnt about the fair trade price, fair trade social premium, social standards and environmental standards.

We ended the session by taking photographs of the children wearing fair trade certified cotton T-shirts, holding the fair trade banner and wearing banana costumes.

Yr 5 learners at Manor Primary School Dubai. What is fair trade lesson by Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop

Year 5 and Mrs Mercer - Manor Primary School, Dubai

The children showed their support for fair trade and we ended the session with lots of photographs/happy memories.

I hope the lesson will encourage the children to support fairtrade in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

To read about my lesson at the Manor Primary School, Dubai kindly click on the link.

 

 

Day 6

Review of my Fairphone2, 17418.

I'm proud to say I am the owner of a Fair Phone 2 - No 17,418!!!

 

Although, expensive at 450 Euros, the Fairphone2 is the must have alternative smart phone for any ethically conscious consumer aspiring to actively support climate change and circular economy.

To read and watch my review of my Fairphone2 kindly click here.

 

Day 7

Fair Trade Ethical Living

Odylique Product Review, Videos and Photo shoot

 

  

During 2016 I had a couple of lovely online conversations with
Abi Weeds Managing Director and Emma Hopewell of Odylique - Essential Care (Organics) Ltd.

I was particularly interested to support Odylique as it is a leading brand of cosmetics and natural skin care based in the United Kingdom.

The company prides itself on promoting their organic, vegan, fairtrade, cruelty free ethos and specialise in treating problematic sensitive, reactive and allergy prone skin.

I hope to write more reviews this year particularly for those of us who suffer from painful acne and sensitive skin.

Many thanks to the Odylique team for their kind words of encouragement.

To watch my review for Odylique's Spot On Serum, Creamy Coconut Cleanser and Superfruit Concentrate Serum and read my blog kindly click on the links below.

 

Day 8

This year I celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE with my sister Irem.

I asked Irem to introduce Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, the UAE.

Irem introduces Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE

  

This year the Fairtrade Foundation UK's campaign is all about the women, who grow the cocoa for the chocolate we eat.
The hashtag is #SHEDESERVES.

I was so pleased to learn that the House of Commons UK also supports Fairtrade Fortnight 2020.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 at the House of Commons, UK

 

Thank you Irem for modelling the fairtrade bag and supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 with me.

Irem Ahmed models the Fairtrade Foundation UK bag for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models the Fairtrade Foundation UK bag for

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE 

 

Irem Ahmed models the big Fairtrade Chocolate Bar Resource for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models the big Fairtrade Chocolate Bar Resource for

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE

 

Irem Ahmed shows off her fairtrade story bomb for Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai and the UAE with Sabeena Ahmed

Irem Ahmed models her fairtrade story bomb for

Fairtrade Fortnight 20, Dubai, UAE

 

 

Day 9

Dubai to Baskinta

During June/July 2016
I attended my first international fair trade towns conference.

The conference was held in Baskinta, Lebanon and the theme was
- Building Bridges Through Fair Trade.

After the session all the delegates had lunch and we were then entertained by traditional Lebanese dancers.

 

 

I felt very honoured and privileged to join the international fairtrade coordinators meeting and participate in the discussion about the future of the International Fair Trade Towns Movement.

Many thanks to the Fair Trade Lebanon team for their hospitality.

To read my blog and watch videos of the conference click the link below.

 

 

Day 10

It was a dream come true to finally travel to the country of my parents birth, India, April 19.

I was humbled and privileged to visit two World Fair Trade Certified Organizations, M.E.S.H and Tara Projects.

 

Maximising employment to Serve The Handicapped, (M.E.S.H)

M.E.S.H's mission is to provide opportunities for disabled people and people affected by leprosy to achieve social and economic integration by trading.

Many thanks to Mathew K and Ms Moon Sharma for their time, care and hospitality.

To read my blog about my visit to M.E.S.H kindly click on the link here.

 

Day 11

Interview with Alex Schmidt and Marie Louise of Valy Export, Madagascar - April 2019.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Alex Schmidt, Valy Export Madagascar.

I invited him and his wife Marie Louise for lunch to learn more about their fair trade business.

During the visit I politely asked if the couple would like to participate in an interview, they agreed.

Introduction Interview in English and Malagasy

 

To watch the entire interview with Alex and Marie Louise kindly click on the link here.

 

 

Day 12

WFTO'S - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2020

VIDEO CHAIN CHALLENGE 

The World Fair Trade Organization's Communications team asked me to share the names of inspirational women in my life for International Women's Day 2020.

This years campaign hashtag is #SheEmpowersMe

I chose to mention 4 ladies and invited them to continue the video challenge.

Ms Christina Longden - The Lorna Young Foundation
Ms Samini Bibi - Sabah Pakistan
Ms Roopa Mehta (Apa) - WFTO President 
Ms Moon Sharma (Apa) - Tara Projects, India

 

The WFTO community is full of inspiring women.

I wish everyone a very happy International Women's Day 2020
#EachForEqual and #SheEmpowersMe!

Love, peace and blessings
Sabeena

 To read my blog kindly click the link here.

 

Day 13

Many thanks to my gorgeous playwright friends who agreed to be photographed for Fairtrade Fortnight 2019.

Thank you Brenda, Tvisha, Ashwarya, Padmini, Edwige, Deborah and Julia.

 The gorgeous ladies celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai  2019 with Sabeena Ahmed 

 The gorgeous ladies celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai  2019 

This year the Fairtrade Foundation are focusing on women, who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much.

£1.86* is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income.

Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p** a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty.

To read my blog about Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE kindly click on the link here.

 

Edwige celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai 2019 with Sabeena Ahmed

Edwige celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE

 

 Two young fairtrade supporters celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 Dubai, UAE at the Emirates Literature Foundation Shindaga Dubai

 SHOW OFF YOUR FAIRTRADE LABEL AND SUPPORT FAIRTRADE

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 in Dubai and the United ARab Emirates

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE

 

Day 14

Happy and proud to support female cocoa farmers like Rosine Bekoin of the CAYAT

Co-operative, Côte d'Ivoire.

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Rosine Bekoin She Deserves
Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Rosine Bekoin

 

You can watch Rosine's interview below. 

 

 

Happy International Women's Day to fairtrade farmers, producers and friends.

Love and regards
Sabeena

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource of Fairtrade bag, She Deserves Campaign

 Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -

Fairtrade Resource of Fairtrade bag

 

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - Fairtrade Resource Large Chocolate Bar, She Deserves Campaign

 Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -

Fairtrade Resource Large Chocolate Bar

 

 

What is Fairtrade Fortnight?

For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid. 

As the only fairtrade campaigner in the United Arab Emirates since 2008 I have been supporting fairtrade fortnight and hope my blogs will inspire others to get involved and support fairtrade.

This year the Fairtrade Foundation are focusing on the people – in particular the women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much. 

Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai 2019 - She deserves a living income

This years Fairtrade Fortnight Campaign is She Deserves. 

She Deserves - Don't Feed Exploitation Choose Fairtrade

£1.86* is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income.
Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p** a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty.

For the women the situation is even worse. They may plant and harvest on the farm, look after children, carry water, collect wood, cook and clean for the family, and transport the cocoa beans to market but often with fewer rights than men.

I'm campaigning with millions of others for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa.

Change can happen if we tell governments, chocolate companies and retailers to make the commitments and policies necessary, then we can make it happen.

 

 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Resources Credit: Fairtrade Foundation UK

 

Dates: Monday 24 February - Sunday 8 March 2020

 

 

THE STORY OF CHOCOLATE: UNWRAPPING THE BAR

 

Meet Rosine Bekoin, a Fairtrade Cocoa Farmer in the Ivory Coast

Rosine Bekoin is a mum of five, cocoa farmer and member of CAYAT co-operative in Côte d’Ivoire.

Rosine is slightly unusual as cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire go because she owns and runs her 2.5-hectare farm, which was passed to her from her mother.

Normally it is men who own farms and earn the income from them. Rosine first sold her cocoa as Fairtrade in 2016. 

You can watch Rosine's interview below.

 

 

 

Meet Ebrottié Tanoh Florentin, a Fairtrade Cocoa Farmer in the Ivory Coast

Ebrottié is married with 6 children, and has been farming cocoa since 1992. He is also the General Secretary of his cooperative, CEAA.

 

 

Fairtrade: How Sweet Is Your Cake Really

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to support fair trade please read about fair trade coffee, cotton, tea, sugar, bananas, gold, flowers or chocolate and get involved.

Please read the following links

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Bananas

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Chocolate

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Coffee

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Gold

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Cotton

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Flowers

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Sugar

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/Buying-Fairtrade/Tea

GET INVOLVED NOW

 

 SHOW OFF YOUR FAIRTRADE LABEL AND SUPPORT FAIRTRADE

Sabeena and Irem Ahmed supporting Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Dubai, UAE -#SheDeserves

 Irem Ahmed modelling the fairtrade bag

 

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates International Women's Day and Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - She Deserves and Each For Equal

Sabeena Ahmed celebrates International Women's Day and Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE - She Deserves and Each For Equal

 

Further Reading and Links

Fairtrade Foundation 

Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Shop in the United Arab Emirates

BlogChatter - Blogging With A Purpose 





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Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.

I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.

یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔

میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔

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Fairtade Fortnight 2024 فیئر ٹریڈ فورنائٹ and Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary  فیئر ٹریڈ کی 30 ویں سالگرہ (English & Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
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This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary. 

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ریکارڈ کرنے اور اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

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August 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
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This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.

I finally managed to record videos for my Six Items Challenge 2024 and upload them to my YouTube Channel.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

میں آخر کار اپنے سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 کے لیے ویڈیوز ریکارڈ

کرنے اور انہیں اپنے یوٹیوب چینل پر اپ لوڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی

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