“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.”

My Fair Trade Story Video Presentation - Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop

My Fair Trade Story Video Presentation - Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop

How it all began

My Fair Trade Story

My impromptu graduation presentation for the BSEP, NAMA and SSE London

 

MY STORY

my-story-3-ptr-henry-brown-4pm-afternoon-service-1-638

What inspired you to start the business?

The Situation

  • During Ramadan 2008 I was poorly and recovering from surgery.
  • I was reading Islamic Banking and Insurance.
  • The last assignment illustrated how Islam promoted equal distribution of wealth. This statement made me question inequality and poverty in the world.
  • This was my epiphany that motivated me to take action .

  

The Change

  • I wanted to alleviate poverty, promote equality and justice for the most disadvantaged individuals and communities around the world.

 

First Steps

  • Wrote to the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and asked them if I could start a Fair Trade movement in the United Arab Emirates. They responded positively and told me to I should pursue my fair-trade activities.
  • I visited Fair Trade Egypt, Cairo.

I commenced trading at the Dubai Flea Market and then moved to the Covent Garden Market Jumeirah, Dubai.

 

 

YOUR BUSINESS

 What are you offering?

  • I offer fair trade and ethically produced bespoke products hand made by disadvantaged small producers and groups around the world.

 

My Business

 

Who do you help?

  • Majority of artists are women, widows, victims of human trafficking, marginalized individuals some have disabilities and ethic/indigenous tribes.

 

How does it work?

  • I retail fair trade products at specialist markets, exhibitions and boutiques in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
  • I conduct primary research by testing new fair trade ranges and ask consumers what they like and dislike.
  • I promote fair-trade by visiting schools, universities, women’s organizations, government events in Dubai/Abu Dhabi.
  • I visit fair-trade campaigners and supporters in the United Kingdom.
  • I conduct interviews with fair-trade producers when I visit fair-trade producer groups.

 

WHY IT MATTERS?

Why It Matters?

Think about impact?

What positive impact does your service or product make?

  • Producers especially women are empowered financially, increased levels of self confidence, esteem and respect and dignity.
  • They receive fair wages and
  • Better working conditions
  • Strengthen their position in the community
  • They have more control over their lives.

 

Why does it matter to you?

  • I love fair-trade social and trade justice.
  • My work makes me happy.
  • My mind, body, spirit and soul are at peace.
  • I feel I am working towards positivity and achieving good.
  • My faith plays a very important role.

 

What motivates you?

  • My parents are my motivation.
  • My late beloved mother always instilled the values of selflessness and willingness to try to help others in need.
  • Fairtrade and the producers motivate and inspire me.
  • Support Fairtrade

 

My BSEP, NAMA and SSE

Graduation Ceremony Award Ceremony 2019

Receiving my certificate with Chief Executive Alistair Wilson and

HE Reem Abdel Rahim BinKaram  

 

My BSEP, NAMA and SSE

Graduation Presentation and Ceremony

January 2019

The 21st January 2019 was a day I will never forget.

I finally completed my scholarship programme with the Badiri Academy, NAMA, and the School For Social Entrepreneurs London and Cornwall, UK.

I presented my graduation presentation and received my certificate.

Many thanks to Lina Hamdan, Kylie Dickenson, Jo Van Osch (my amazing mentor), Amy Babor and Sally Heard for their kind words of support and encouragement.

I praise the Almighty Allah subhana wa'tala for giving me the strength and courage to complete the course.

Thank you to my husband Faisal for supporting me over the past 10 years.

 

Sabeena Z Ahmed - Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme, NAMA and School for Social Entrepreneurs UK Certificate awarded Jan 2019

Sabeena Z Ahmed - Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme, NAMA and School for Social Entrepreneurs UK Certificate 

 

Further Reading and Links

My Fair trade Journey

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

BSEP, NAMA, SSE London Graduation and Ceremony

BSEP, NAMA, SSE London Blog

NAMA

SSE London





Also in The Little Fair Trade Blog

February 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
February 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.

I celebrated World Cancer Day 2024 by creating a poster in Urdu and English.

I participated in a School for Social Entrepreneur webinar with Chris Hines MBE.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ

میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبینار میں شرکت کرنے اور PIE کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گیا جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔

میں نے کینسر کا عالمی دن 2024 منایا

میں نے Chris Hines MBE کے ساتھ ایک سکول فار سوشل انٹرپرینیور ویبینار میں حصہ لیا۔

اردو میں ترجمہ

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THRIVE LDN - Great Mental Health Day Webinars January 2024 (English and Urdu)
THRIVE LDN - Great Mental Health Day Webinars January 2024 (English and Urdu)

My sister sent me links to webinars about Great Mental Health Day which took place 26th January 2024.

I am grateful to all the guest speakers and trainers who took time out of their busy schedules to talk about Suicide Prevention, Bereavement and Write to Speak Your Poetry.

Translation in Urdu

میری بہن نے مجھے عظیم دماغی صحت کے دن کے بارے میں ویبینرز کے لنکس بھیجے جو 26 جنوری 2024 کو ہوا تھا۔

میں ان تمام مہمان مقررین اور ٹرینرز کا مشکور ہوں جنہوں نے اپنے مصروف شیڈول میں سے وقت نکال کر خودکشی کی روک تھام، سوگ اور اپنی شاعری لکھنے کے بارے میں بات کی۔


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January 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
January 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my fair trade friends and family around the world.

My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.

I joined a couple of sessions about Mental Health and Suicide Training.

These sessions were organised by THRIVE LDN.

Translation in Urdu

نیا سال مبارک ہو!

دنیا بھر میں میرے تمام منصفانہ تجارتی دوستوں اور اہل خانہ کو نیا سال مبارک ہو۔

میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبنار میں شرکت کرنے اور کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔

میں دماغی صحت اور خودکشی کی تربیت کے بارے میں کچھ سیشنز میں شامل ہوے۔

ان سیشنز کا اہتمام THRIVE LDN نے کیا تھا۔

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