This June I collapsed at the end of Ramadan and required urgent IVs for iron, glucose and vitamins. Beta thalasemia minor is pain!
During the final week of June I traveled to Thailand to visit Sister Louise of the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok and Mr Stephen Salmon of the Heritage Crafts and Cafe, (ThaiCraft) Bangkok, Thailand.
Many thanks to Sister Louise and Mrs Salmon for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk about their pioneering work.
Once again I needed a iron transfusion at the end of Ramadan.
A painful experience but I hope it will be my last for this year.
A painful tranfusion which was necessary as I struggle with my
Beta thalassaemia minor
It was great to finally meet Sister Louise of the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok.
With Sister Louise
The Fatima Centre of the Good Shepherd Sisters of Thailand is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the quality of life of all those in need regardless of their religious affiliation.
Under the expert direction of those whose sole concern is the welfare of others the Fatima Centre provides opportunities for women and young girls at risk in the community and to break out of the unending cycle of poverty.
Compassionate and healing relationships are integral to our mission. Our specific focus is towards the human, social and spiritual development of women and girls.
We work in direct service projects with women, children and families to empower, enhance dignity, support self-sufficiency, and build esteem in those who have been excluded from the benefits of society.
INTERVIEW WITH SISTER LOUISE
Interview with Sister Louise Hogan
Photos Gallery
Sister Louise at the Good Shepherd Sisters Shop - Bangkok
A lady artist embroidering and elephant on a cotton fabric
Snow white dolls unfinished
Mr Stephen Salmon and Sabeena Ahmed
In a recently restored building in one of one of the oldest pats of Bangkok, the Heritage Craft Shop and Café is a beautiful respite from the heat and a wonderful place to conduct to some fair trade retail therapy.
Conveniently located in the old city of Bangkok near (Rattanakosin Island).
The Heritage Craft and Cafe is a treasure trove of lovingly hand crafted fair trade gifts have been selected by its founder Mr Stephen Salmon.
Highly recommended the gorgeous interior has been lovingly restored.
The cafe serves freshly brewed fair-trade coffee or tea and yummy chocolate cake.
The shop is also the office of ThaiCraft Fair Trade, which has been operating since 1992.
Mr Salmon has spend 40 years working with over 60 different producer groups from around the country.
Please click on the Heritage Cafe link below to find out more about these creative fair trade producer and fair trade gifts.
Hand painted Thai doorstops/decor
Photo Gallery
Heritage Craft and Cafe Entrance
Heritage Craft & Cafe Signage
Heritage Craft and Cafe Bangkok Counter and Shop view
All photorgraphs were taken by my Fairphone2 17,418.
ThaiCraft began in 1975 as Hilltribe Sales at the International Church of Bangkok. These volunteer-run events at International School Bangkok's former downtown campus operated until 1992.
In August of that year the ThaiCraft Association became an independent development organisation, For the first year only, small start-up administration grants were received from Dutch (ICCO) and British (ODA/Oxfam) funding agencies. By retaining a small share of sales revenue, ThaiCraft soon became and has remained a financially self-sufficient organisation.
For more information about Thai Craft please click on the website link below.
Thank you so much for reading my blog and please continue to support fair trade producers.
Many thanks to Mr Salmon for taking time out of his schedule to talk with me again.
I wish him every success and happiness in his new endeavor.
I certainly hope he is awarded an MBE soon for his tireless work for fair trade and social and trade justice.
Much love regards and respect
Sabeena
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
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