This May I received my certificate for the Future learn MOOC
'Make Change Happen'
I embraced Ramadan 2019 and
celebrated World Fair Trade Day 2019
Make Change Happen - Future Learn MOOC with Oxfam and
the Open University Certificate
Make Change Happen - Future Learn MOOC with Oxfam and
the Open University Certificate
Make Change Happen - Future Learn MOOC with Oxfam and
the Open University Certificate
Make Change Happen - Future Learn MOOC with Oxfam and
the Open University Certificate
Make Change Happen - Future Learn MOOC with Oxfam and
the Open University Certificate
I particularly enjoyed week 6 where I wrote about Isatou Cessay and edited her interviews.
Isatou Ceesay environmental activist and social entrepreneur accompanied by her son Madou stayed with me for 5 days during their 7 day visit to Dubai late March early April 2019.
I asked Isatou to sign copies of her book for nephew's and niece's.
I also conducted a detailed interview with Isatou (pronounced Ay Sa Tou) about her life and work.
Isatou signing my copy of One Plastic Bag
Interview short edited version
To watch Isatou's videos please click here.
Ramadan is a time of abstention, connection and reflection.
This Ramadan was particularly difficult as I was recovering from two shoulder surgeries.
I hope to design a Ramadan Fair Trade Catalogue of my favourite fair trade gifts to support small marginalised fairtrade artists and producers around the world.
I've attached a few of my best sellers for friends and customers to view below.
I'd love you to comment and share my favourites.
Fairly Traded T-Rex beautifully hand knitted by ladies in China
A little fairtrader enjoying a playful bite of cuddly T-rex
Fairly traded Animal Book lovingly produced by ladies in Bangkok
Fairly traded Animal Book lovingly produced by ladies in Bangkok
Learn To Count Book
Lovingly hand made by ladies in Bangkok
Learn To Count Book
Lovingly hand made by ladies in Bangkok
Blue Octopus hand knitted by ladies in Bangladesh
Blue Octopus hand knitted by ladies in Bangladesh
I hope to write my Fairtrade Ramadan blog soon
This years World Fair Trade Organization campaign was 'Fairtrade Innovates.'
It was a dream come true to finally travel to the country of my parents birth, India.
I arrived in Dehli and was greeted by a beautiful warm evening.
What followed was one of the most memorable weeks of my life.
Despite recovering from two shoulder surgeries and enduring a terrible bout of Dehli belly I proceeded with my magical tour.
I was humbled and privileged to visit two World Fair Trade Certified Organizations, M.E.S.H and Tara Projects.
Many thanks to Mathew K and Ms Moon Sharma for their time, care and hospitality.
Sadly, I was unable to interview Mathew, Ms Jacky Bonnie or the producer groups on this occasion and hope to interview them the next time I visit.
I have attached videos and photographs of my visit below.
Interview with Moon Sharma - Introduction
World Fair Trade Day 2019 Message - Moon Sharma, Tara Projects
What does fairtrade mean to you?
How can consumers purchase fairtrade products
Interview with Moon Sharma extended version
Fairtrade Kya Hai? What is Fairtrade? - Hindi/Urdu
To read my blog about Ms Moon Sharma please click on the link here.
M.E.S.H, Dehli India,
the lovely Tina modelling handwoven scarves
M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered Kashmiri bags
M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered towels napkins aprons
To read more about my visit to M.E.S.H please click here
The World Fair Trade Organization had asked fairtrade producers and organisations to send videos of the campaign Fairtrade Innovates.
I've attached a few videos below for you to watch at your leisure.
World Fair Trade Organization Trailer - Fairtrade Innovates
World Fair Trade Day 2019
World Fair Trade Day - Up-cycling
Fairtrade very simply means social and trade justice for all!
Fairtrade is a simple way each one of us can make a difference through our everyday choices.
It’s about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
Fairtrade aims to enable the poorest farmers and workers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
On top of the agreed Fairtrade minimum price producers also receive the Fairtrade premium.
How it’s spent is voted on democratically by farmers and workers.
This is development as decided by the people who will benefit from it.
After all, they’re the ones best placed to make it work the hardest. Roads have been laid, nurseries equipped and helpful new tools have been put to work all thanks to the Fairtrade premium.
This August I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
My right shoulder was very painful and inflamed and I struggled to write this blog.
I attended a 2 day online webinar titled, 'Journey towards Meaningful Connectivity Exploring Value' with the Institute of Social Entrepreneurs Asia, (ISEA).
Joined the August 2023 webinar about storytelling with World Pulse.
I listened to guest speakers highlighting how to teach literacy to deaf learners from eKitabu, this session was organised by the World Literacy Foundation and Sun Books monthly webinars.
This month I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
I was very poorly and couldn't post about Plastic Free July 2023 everyday but hope to add short videos soon.
I attended a Zoom webinar titled 'The role of faith organisations tackling loneliness' organised by the Civil Society Consulting team.
Attended a Zoom webinar about social entrepreneurs and health organised by WISE women.
This month I continued to heal from my shoulder procedure (January 2022) and am learning to live with pain in my right shoulder.
I participated in the 2 day Loneliness Learning Programme organised by the Civil Society Consulting.
Attended the Fairtrade Foundation UK June 2023 Catch Up Zoom webinar.
Celebrated Eid Al Adha with my siblings.