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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

May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to edit my Fairtrade Ramadan 2024 video.

I happy to announce that I completed my 12th year participating in the Six Items Challenge 2024 with Labour Behind The Label.

I hope to upload videos of my Six Items Challenge 2024 when I feel better.

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۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں اپنی فیئر ٹریڈ رمضان 2024 ویڈیو ایڈٹ اور پوسٹ کرنے میں کامیاب رہی 

مجھے یہ اعلان کرتے ہوئے خوشی ہو رہی ہے کہ میں نے لیبر کے پیچھے لیبر کے ساتھ سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 میں حصہ لیتے ہوئے اپنا 12 واں سال مکمل کر لیا ہے۔

مجھے امید ہے کہ جب میں بہتر محسوس کرونگی  تو اپنے سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 کی ویڈیوز اپ لوڈ کرونگی ۔

 

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World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This year the World Fair Trade Day was observed on the 11th May 2024.

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) theme was ''Business Revolution.''

This year I was unable to record a video in English or Urdu but did manage to handwrite a poster in English and Urdu.

Translation in Urdu

اس سال عالمی منصفانہ تجارت کا دن 11 مئی 2024 کو منایا گیا۔

ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ آرگنائزیشن (WFTO) کا تھیم ''بزنس ریوولوٹن'' تھا۔

اس سال میں انگریزی یا اردو میں ویڈیو ریکارڈ  نہیں کر سکی لیکن انگریزی اور اردو میں پوسٹر ہاتھ سے لکھنے میں کامیاب رہی۔

 

Continue Reading →

World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This World Cancer Day 2024 I  hand wrote the poster in Urdu and English and posted it to my Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Profiles.

I attended a sisters only art therapy workshop with my sister Irem, this workshop was organised by The Muslim Bereavement Support Service.

Due to my own going shoulder issues I have struggled with my right shoulder to type this blog has been painful to type.

اس ورلڈ کینسر ڈے 2024 میں میں نے ہاتھ سے پوسٹر اردو اور انگریزی میں لکھا اور اسے اپنے X، Facebook اور LinkedIn پروفائلز پر پوسٹ کیا۔

میں نے اپنی بہن ارم کے ساتھ ایک سسٹرس اونلی آرٹ تھراپی ورکشاپ میں شرکت کی، یہ ورکشاپ دی مسلم بیریومنٹ سپورٹ سروس نے منعقد کی تھی۔

میرے اپنے کندھے کے مسائل کی وجہ سے میں نے اپنے دائیں کندھے سے ٹائپ کرنے کے لئے جدوجہد کی ہے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنا تکلیف دہ رہا ہے۔

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