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October 2021 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

October 2021 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

October 2021

This month I continued to heal from all my surgeries. Another painful month with my shoulders causing me stress and pain.

I published my blog and videos about the World Literacy Foundation Ambassador Program in English and Urdu. This blog took 5 months to write and translate due to my painful shoulders.

I attended the Ethical Consumer Week Online Conference 2021 and wrote a summary of some of the sessions I attended.

I was chosen to attend the IKEA Lagom Live 9 month sustainability program.

I received my certificate for attending the Muslim Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance Conference, Muslim Mental Health in an Unequal World.

 

Surgeries 2017-2020

My surgery March 2020 - Blog about my endometriosis and PCOS by Sabeena Ahmed

For those that don't know I was admitted to hospital after a few weeks of excruciating pain in my left ovary and required urgent surgery.

My cyst was removed 17th March 2020. This was my third polycystic ovarian surgery since 2004.

During November 2017 I had my first rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder, and then a year later October 2018 I had the same surgery on my left shoulder.

Its been a long 4 years of excruciating pain, sleepless nights and slow healing.

I still have bouts of low energy, pain and anxiety.

This month was another particularly bad month, my left shoulder was very painful and typing incredibly difficult.

Thank you to all my friends and family who pray for my recovery and good health.

  

WORLD LITERACY FOUNDATION AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 2021

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن امباساڈور پروگرام 2021۔

 

Introduction - English 

 

اردو میں ترجمہ 

 

 

I'm proud to be a World Literacy Ambassador 2021 with Sabeena Z Ahmed

 I'm proud to be a World Literacy Ambassador 2021

مجھے عالمی خواندگی کا سفیر 2021 ہونے پر فخر ہے۔

 

'Literacy has been my light and hope through the most challenging times in my life. Literacy has given me a voice to express myself and the passion to continue to share my life experiences as a Muslim hijabi, social entrepreneur, fairtrade campaigner and educator and good human being.'

 

Sabeena Z Ahmed

 

Translation in Urdu
اردو میں ترجمہ

 

میری زندگی کے مشکل ترین اوقات میں خواندگی میری روشنی
اور امید رہی ہے۔

خواندگی نے مجھے اپنے آپ کو ظاہر کرنے کے لیے ایک آواز دی
ہے اور ایک مسلمان حجابی ،
 
سماجی کاروباری ، فیئر ٹریڈ مہم چلانے والے
اور ایک اچھے انسان کے طور پر اپنی زندگی کے تجربات کو شیئر کرنے
کا جذبہ جاری رکھا ہے۔

سبینا زیڈ احمد
 

Once again during the spring of 2021, I applied to participate as a World Literacy Foundation Ambassador with the World Literacy Foundation. My application was successful. 

 

ایک بار پھر اپریل 2021 کے دوران ، میں نے ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن کے
ساتھ ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن کے سفیر کے طور پر شرکت کے لیے درخواست
دی۔ میری درخواست کامیاب رہی۔

More photos tba

 

 

Module 1

ماڈیول 1۔

As part of the World Literacy Ambassador Program all ambassadors were asked to complete 5 modules and support multiple literacy Initiatives around the world via campaigning and fundraising activities.

 

عالمی خواندگی سفیر پروگرام کے ایک حصے کے طور پر تمام سفیروں سے
5 ماڈیول مکمل کرنے کو کہا گیا۔

سفیروں سے کہا گیا کہ وہ مہم اور فنڈ ریزنگ سرگرمیوں کے ذریعے
دنیا بھر میں متعدد خواندگی اقدامات کی حمایت کریں۔
  

ABOUT THE WORLD LITERACY FOUNDATION 

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن کے بارے میں۔

In 2003 Mr Kay established the World Literacy Foundation with the goal to bring books, tutoring and literacy resources to children without any support.

Since its inception it has supported over 315,000 children around the world.

2003 میں مسٹر کی نے ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن قائم کی جس کا مقصد بچوں
کو کتابیں ، ٹیوشن اور خواندگی کے وسائل بغیر کسی مدد کے لانا تھا۔

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن نے دنیا بھر میں 315،000 بچوں کی مدد کی ہے۔
 

 

What does the World Literacy Foundation do?

 

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن کیا کرتی ہے؟

 

    • The World Literacy Foundation provides books and educational resources, so children can enjoy the joy of reading.

 

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن کتابیں اور تعلیمی وسائل مہیا کرتی ہے ،
تاکہ بچے پڑھنے کی خوشی سے لطف اندوز ہوسکیں۔

 

    • It provides tutoring and literary support to disadvantaged children who are struggling to read.

 

یہ پسماندہ بچوں کو ٹیوشن اور ادبی مدد فراہم کرتا ہے 
جو پڑھنے کے لیے جدوجہد کر رہے ہیں۔

 

    • It gathers literacy and educational leaders and organizations around the world to share ideas and collaborate within the sector.

 

یہ دنیا بھر میں خواندگی اور تعلیمی رہنماؤں اور تنظیموں کو
اکٹھا کرتا ہے تاکہ وہ شعبے کے اندر خیالات بانٹیں اور تعاون کریں۔

 

    • It brings together innovative technology, e-books, games and locally curated content to advance the learning activities for children in remote communities in their mother tongue and English.

 

یہ دور دراز کمیونٹیوں میں بچوں کے لیے ان کی مادری زبان اور
انگریزی میں سیکھنے کی سرگرمیوں کو آگے بڑھانے کے لیے جدید
ٹیکنالوجی ، ای بکس ، گیمز اور مقامی طور پر تیار کردہ مواد
لاتا ہے۔

 

    • The World Literacy Foundation is the global voice to spread and promote the importance of literacy, we empower people to advocate for literacy in their local community.

 

ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن عالمی سطح پر خواندگی کی اہمیت کو پھیلانے اور
فروغ دینے کی آواز ہے ، ہم لوگوں کو بااختیار بناتے ہیں کہ وہ
اپنی مقامی کمیونٹی میں خواندگی کی وکالت کریں۔

 

Source: The World Literacy Foundation

ماخذ: ورلڈ لٹریسی فاؤنڈیشن

 

Facts and Figures 

حقائق اور اعداد و شمار

 

I had no idea that there are 250 million children who struggle to learn basic reading and writing skills.

 

مجھے اندازہ نہیں تھا کہ 250 ملین بچے ایسے ہیں جو بنیادی پڑھنے اور
لکھنے کی مہارت سیکھنے کے لیے جدوجہد کرتے ہیں۔

 

It's shocking to learn that 750 million people are illiterate, nearly two thirds of them are women.

 

یہ جان کر حیرت ہوئی کہ 750 ملین لوگ ناخواندہ ہیں ،
ان میں سے تقریبا two دو تہائی خواتین ہیں۔

 

In the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, functional literacy affects 25-35% of the population.

 

امریکہ ، برطانیہ اور آسٹریلیا میں ، عملی خواندگی
25-35 population آبادی کو متاثر کرتی ہے۔

 

More than 2 billion people struggle to read a sentence.

 

2 ارب سے زیادہ لوگ ایک جملہ پڑھنے کے لیے جدوجہد کرتے ہیں۔

 

ILLITERACY = POVERTY  

غیر اخلاقیات = غربت

 

For those interested here is the link to their impact page.

 

یہاں اثر صفحے کا لنک ہے۔ 

 

Ethical Consumer Week 2021

Closing the Climate Gap 

Ethical Consumer 2021, banner credit and source Ethical Consumer UK

For the second year I attended the virtual Ethical Consumer Conference 2021.

This years theme was closing the climate gap.

Here is my summary of some of the sessions I attended.

I have decided to include the sessions that were relevant to me and had the most impact and were informative, engaging and fun.

The conference began Saturday 16th October and concluded Friday 22nd October 2021.

Hashtag for the week was #ECWeek2021.

 

Addressing the Climate Gap in Our Homes

Saturday 16th October 2021

The session was recorded.

This was the second session of the week I attended.

Addressing the Climate Gap in Our Homes was presented by Charlie Baker of Red Coop and Nadia Smith of South East London Community Energy.

Both Charlie and Nadia were passionate about  incredibly knowledgeable about their work.

I enjoyed the session and learnt about what little changes I can make as a home owner to reduce my energy consumption, valuable information about building retrofits and how to finance a retrofit as a homeowner or landlord.

WHAT I LEARNT: The purpose of the session was to inform participants about building retrofits, reducing energy, services, ventilation, energy storage, heat pumps, cost of pumps and how to finance a retrofit as a homeowner or landlord.

ACTION: What actions I will take?

I will definitely take more time to visit the Red Coop website and local community energy groups in Manchester.

LINKS: I will also try to learn more about RED COOP and South East London Community Energy.

 

 Electric Vehicles, Car Clubs the myths and the facts

Sunday 17th October 

I'm not sure if the Derwent Valley Car Club recorded this session. 

My knowledge of Electric Vehicles was non existent.

The hosts Derwent Valley Car club were friendly and incredibly knowledgeable.

Each and everyone member of the team had a passion to reduce consumption of petrol and diesel cars and increase the use of electric cars by establishing car clubs run and owned by members.

The café held sewing workshops, workshops for refugees and asylum seekers, organic dye workshops, supported the seed library at Lancaster Library and held events in support of Fashion Revolution. 

WHAT I LEARNT: The benefits of electric cars are, cost effectiveness, reduced harmful gases, cheaper to maintain, reduced noise pollution, energy independent.

It was inspiring to learn about the Derwent Valley Car Club and the positive economic, social, environmental factors.

ACTION: I hope to contact to learn more about car club and will visit the Derwent Valley Facebook page.

LINKS: Here is the link to the Derwent Valley Car Club

 

 

Pacari Chocolate Partner Session

Monday 18th October

I don't know if this session was recorded by the Ethical Consumer team.

This was a educational and informative session.

WHAT I LEARNT: Pacari means 'Nature.'

I was amazed to learn how the Pacari team work intimately with all the 4000 farmers and cooperatives in Equador especially those indigenous groups who still use traditional farming methods.

Ethical Consumer magazine UK have accredited Pacari Chocolates as the most ethical chocolate company in the UK.

ACTION: I have been meaning to purchase more Pacari chocolate and will order a gift box soon.

When I'm feeling better and the pandemic is under control I hope to actively participate and learn how to visit farmers as part of eco tourism in Ecuador.

LINK: Pacari

 

 Ethical Clothing Session

Tuesday 19th October

Participants weren't told if the session was recorded.

This was a educational and informative session.

WHAT I LEARNT: It was disheartening to learn from Mr Khalid Mahmood, Director of the Labour Education Foundation that garment workers earn a mere 119 dollars per month in Pakistan.

Sadly, garment workers in Pakistan live in poverty and never receive any profits from multi national brands. Their working conditions are very poor, and they are prohibited from joining trade unions.

Mr Mahmood said he does not receive any support from the Pakistani Diaspora and would like to see more individuals talking to their politicians to establish conversations about fast fashion, slow fashion, garment worker rights and fair wages/conditions.

ACTION: I hope to email Mr Khalid and ask him to think about joining the World Fair Trade Organization.

When I'm feeling better I would love to visit him and the Labour Education Foundation, Pakistan

LINK: Article: Garment Workers Cannot Foot The Bill For The Pandemic

 

 

Why should I bother? The case for individual action on climate change – even when big business and governments are dragging their feet

Wednesday 20th October

  Credit and Source: Ethical Consumer UK

This session was recorded and was hosted Georgina of Pebble Magazine, Rae Ritchie Economist and author Jen Gale.

The ladies talked for two hours and discussed the following issues.

Insulating your home, reducing energy consumption, carbon footprint, switching energy supplier is not viable right now, bank policies regarding fossil fuels investments, A Library of Things, A Repair Cafe.

Getting rid of single use plastic, food waste and insulating the home for winter.

Litter, recycling, plastic pollution. Taking pride in where you live.

Insulate yourself, cardigans and jumpers.

Heat pumps will not work if your home is not well insulated.

I have to agree with a participant called Tina who wrote.

'I'd say, a lot of the things we buy are manufactured in China, so really China's emissions are partly ours!'

Eco anxiety, eco rage, guilt, frustration, recognise and acknowledge them.

WHAT I LEARNT: I thought I was the only one who struggled with climate anxiety.

Jen Gale struggles with it too!

ADVICE: Throw your wait around an issue you feel passionate about.

ACTION: I hope to read the chat and visit all the websites other participants posted during the session.

I have participated in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label for the past 9 years.

I have also participated in Plastic Free July and Zero Waste Week for the past three years and hope to encourage more family and friends to rethink their carbon footprint.

LINKS: Bank Green

https://bank.green/ -

 

 

IKEA LAGOM LIVE PROGRAMME UK 2021-2022

Tottenham, London

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that my application to attend the Ikea Lagon Live Programme would be successful.

Lagom translated in Swedish means 'just the right amount.'

The definition of Lagom, source unknown

This year I was happy to be selected with 4 other participants in London and attended the induction session at the Tottenham branch.

Here is my summary of the sessions I attended.

Time table of sessions 2021 - 2022

Sessions 2021

October 19th - Induction session 

November 16th - Cosy Homes

December 7th - Sustainable Christmas

Sessions 2022

January 18th - Waste Not Want Not

February 15th - Re-love, Re-use 

April 4th - Get Growing

Tuesday 14th June - Journey to Zero Waste

 

Induction Session

Tuesday 19th October 2021

IKEA LAGOM LIVE 2021 WITH SABEENA Z AHMED

It was exciting to go behind the scenes at IKEA and the staff meeting rooms.

We were participants taken to a large meeting room were Tayyab and Ahmad our lead mentors talked and presented a two hour presentation about LAGOM.

We were asked to complete a worksheet about our goals during the programme.

IKEA LAGOM LIVE 2021 WITH SABEENA Z AHMED

My goals

 

IKEA LAGOM LIVE 2021 WITH SABEENA Z AHMED

LIVE LAGOM: Tell us about your household?

 

Where there any lifestyle changes you made during lockdown and after?

 

Did you find to easy to make sustainable choices?

 

IKEA LAGOM LIVE GOALS 2021 WITH SABEENA Z AHMED

LIVE LAGOM: Tell us about your household?

 

What would you change to live a more healthy and sustainable life at home?

 

Where do you see you home lifestyle in 6 months time?

 

I look forward to all the sessions and hope to update the blog when I am physically able.

 

MUSLIM MENTAL HEALTH IN AN UNEQUAL WORLD

ONLINE CONFERENCE

 Sabeena Z Ahmed, Certificate of Attendance for attending the Muslim Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance - Muslim Health in an Unequal World October 2021

I received my certificate for attending the Muslim Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance Conference, Muslim Mental Health in an Unequal World,

October 10th 2021

 

Thank you for reading and I hope to bring you another monthly blog next month health prevailing.

Love and respect to everyone making and being the difference.

Sabeena

 

Further Reading and Links

Living with PCOS and Endometriosis - by Sabeena Ahmed

World Literacy Foundation Ambassador Program 2021 with Sabeena Z Ahmed

Ethical Consumer Week 20201 with Sabeena Z Ahmed

IKEA Lagom Live Programme 2021-22 with Sabeena Z Ahmed (TBA)

 

 





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

Continue Reading →

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۔


Continue Reading →

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۔

Continue Reading →

 

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