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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

Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 (English and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 (English and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This year the Fairtrade Foundation organised several webinars about Fairtrade Farmers and the Climate Crisis before and during Fairtrade Fortnight 2023.

I have translated this vlog in Urdu.

اس سال فیئر ٹریڈ فاؤنڈیشن نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2023 سے پہلے اور اس کے دوران فیئر ٹریڈ فارمرز اور موسمیاتی بحران کے بارے میں کئی ویبنارز کا اہتمام کیا۔

میں نے اس بلاگ کا اردو میں ترجمہ کیا ہے۔

Continue Reading →

#EmbraceEquity - International Women's Day 2023 (English and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
#EmbraceEquity - International Women's Day 2023 (English and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This year's International Women's Day campaign was about embracing equity.

Sadly my right shoulder has been very painful and didn't receive the World Fair Trade Organization tool kit in time and designed my own IWD23 poster. 

I decided to write my poster in English and Urdu.

I hope I can record a video for next year.

اس سال خواتین کے عالمی دن کی مہم مساوات کو اپنانے کے بارے میں تھی۔

افسوس کی بات ہے کہ میرا دایاں کندھا بہت تکلیف دہ رہا ہے اور مجھے ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ آرگنائزیشن ٹول کٹ بروقت نہیں ملی اور میں نے اپنا IWD23 پوسٹر ڈیزائن کیا۔

میں نے اپنا پوسٹر انگریزی اور اردو میں لکھنے کا فیصلہ کیا۔

مجھے امید ہے کہ میں اگلے سال کے لیے ایک ویڈیو ریکارڈ کر سکوں گا۔

Continue Reading →

February 2023 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
February 2023 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

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 several webinars the first being the World Cancer Day 2023.

The second webinar was organised the World Pulse Changemaker Lab 2022 Program.

I participated in Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 which commenced February 27th - 12th March.

Continue Reading →

 

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