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The Little Fair Trade Blog

Interview with Alex Schmidt and Marie Louise of Valy Export, Madagascar - April 2019

Interview with Alex Schmidt and Marie Louise of Valy Export, Madagascar - April 2019

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Alex Schmidt from Valy Export Madagascar mid April. 

I invited him and his wife Marie Louise for lunch to learn more about their fair trade business.

 

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June 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

June 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This June I fasted the final days of Ramadan and celebrated Eid ul Fitr.

Was very poorly and had to rest my shoulders and back.

Ordered the Traidcraft 40th anniversary 2019 resource pack

and bamboo cup.

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May 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

May 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This May I received my certificate for the Future Learn MOOC

' Make Change Happen' with Oxfam and the Open University.

I embraced Ramadan 2019 and

celebrated World Fair Trade Day 2019.

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World Fair Trade Day 2019 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

World Fair Trade Day 2019 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY - DUBAI, UAE

This years World Fair Trade Organization campaign was 'Fairtrade Innovates', 

I am very grateful to the amazing M.E.S.H team and the ever graceful Moon Sharma for their time, love and hospitality during my visit to Dehli mid April 19.

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Fair Trade Travels: Interview with Fairtrade Pioneer Moon Sharma of Tara Projects, Dehli, India - April 2019

Fair Trade Travels: Interview with Fairtrade Pioneer Moon Sharma of Tara Projects, Dehli, India - April 2019

It was an absolute pleasure and honour to meet with Moon Sharma of Tara Projects.

Apa (Big Sister) as she is lovingly known spent an evening talking about her travels around the world, Tara Projects, fairtrade and shared stories of Gateshead and Newcastle.

Apa! Thank you so much for your kindness, time and beautiful gifts.

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Fair Trade Travels: Visit to Fairtrade producers M.E.S.H, Dehli, India - April 2019

Fair Trade Travels: Visit to Fairtrade producers M.E.S.H, Dehli, India - April 2019

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.

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.

 

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April 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

April 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This April I was asked to judge five social enterprises at the Middlesex University Dubai.

 

I travelled to Dehli, India to visit family and meet fairtrade producers M.E.S.H and Tara Projects.

 

Despite struggling with my shoulders I completed my Six Items Challenge for the eighth consecutive year.

 

I interviewed Alex and Marie-Louise of Valy Export, Madagascar.

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Social Enterprise Showcase 2019 - Middlesex University Dubai

Social Enterprise Showcase 2019 - Middlesex University Dubai

This April I was invited once again to judge 5 social enterprise businesses at the Middlesex University Dubai. 

Many thanks to Shanthi Rajan, Sandra Stevenson, Suzannah Fernandes and Dr Michael Kloep and Dr Cody Paris for their hospitality.

It was a difficult decision as all the social enterprises were winners.

Congratulations to Pentagon and their initiative Mihriban for their concept and vision.

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Ethical Pioneer - Interview with Isatou Ceesay, co author of One Plastic Bag visits Dubai, UAE, March/April 2019

Ethical Pioneer - Interview with Isatou Ceesay, co author of One Plastic Bag visits Dubai, UAE, March/April 2019

Isatou Ceesay and son Madou stayed with me for 5 days during their 7 day visit

to Dubai.

Isatou Ceesay is an environmental activist and social entrepreneur from Njau, Gambia.

For over 18 years she has been reducing the use of single use plastic.

She has co-authored a book about her plastic journey titled One Plastic Journey with Miranda Paul who I interviewed  April 19.

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Six Items Challenge 2019 with Labour Behind The Label

Six Items Challenge 2019 with Labour Behind The Label

So here I am for the seventh consecutive year I'm participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label.

This year the challenge commences 6th March - 18th April March 2019.

I have decided to participate and support the Six Items Challenge for the eighth year because I started to campaign for garment and factory workers while caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

The six items challenge means I choose six items of clothing to wear for six weeks.

Don't worry!

This does not include under garments or exercise gear. You can wear an endless supply of these. :)

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Sabeena Ahmed submission for Be The Change Awards 2019 with Sian Conway and Ethical Hour

Sabeena Ahmed submission for Be The Change Awards 2019 with Sian Conway and Ethical Hour

I submitted my video for Be the Change Awards 2019.

Many thanks to Sian Conway and Jo Salter for their dedication and tireless work to make the Be The Change Awards successful.

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Sabeena Z Ahmed - Playwright Course and Recitals with Alex Broun at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2019

Sabeena Z Ahmed - Playwright Course and Recitals with Alex Broun at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2019

This year I decided to fulfill some long overdue ambitions and enrolled on a

play writing course with the Emirates Literature Foundation.

My play was a collection of seven scenes highlighting experiences of discrimination, acceptance and love.

Thank you Alex and best wishes to Brenda, Tvisha, Ashwarya, Padmini, Edwige, Deborah, Julia and Andrea for their love and support on this inspiring journey.

 

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Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 - Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

This year I celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 Dubai with friends.

What is Fairtrade Fortnight?

For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid.

This year the Fairtrade Foundation are focusing on the people, in particular the women who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much. 

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January 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

January 2019 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This January I completed my Social Business Model, Reflective Artifact, attended my graduation ceremony, assisted the NAMA (The Badiri Academy) and the School For Social Entrepreneur London and Liverpool teams to part design the second cohort and enrolled on a play writing course with Alex Broun at the Emirates Literature Foundation.

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World Cancer Day - 4th February 2019

World Cancer Day - 4th February 2019

After a brave 4 year struggle with metastatic breast cancer my beautiful mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano returned to her maker.

My siblings and I miss her terribly.

I have recorded this video for World Cancer Day 2019 and hope it will assist others in the Pakistani and Asian community to talk openly about cancer prevention, palliative care and those left behind.

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Social Business Canvas, Graduation Video Presentation and Reflective Artifact  - The Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme and School For Social Entrepreneurs London International Scholarship Programme 2018

Social Business Canvas, Graduation Video Presentation and Reflective Artifact - The Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme and School For Social Entrepreneurs London International Scholarship Programme 2018

This January I completed my Social Business Canvas, Graduation Presentation and Reflective Artifact for the Badiri Social Enterpreneurship Programme and School For Social Entrepreneurs International Scholarship Programme 2018.

Congratulations to my peers on your graduation.

I wish you all every success with your concepts and businesses.

Sabeena X

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Badiri Academy (BSEP), NAMA, School For Social Entrepreneurs Graduation Presentation and Ceremony 2019, Sharjah UAE

Badiri Academy (BSEP), NAMA, School For Social Entrepreneurs Graduation Presentation and Ceremony 2019, Sharjah UAE

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

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

I presented my graduation presentation and received my certificate.

Many thanks to Jo Van Osch my mentor for supporting me throughout the programme.

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Workshop with Bel Pesce - Dubai, UAE, December 2018

Workshop with Bel Pesce - Dubai, UAE, December 2018

I was honoured to attend a workshop on entrepreneurship with renowned writer and computer tech expert/genius Bel Pesce.

Many thanks to NAMA and the BSEP team for organising this event.

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December 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

December 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This December I participated at the Swiss Business Council Christmas Market,
Abu Dhabi, for the third time.
 
Attended a workshop with Bel Pesce and was over the moon to be included in Feedspots 25 Fairtrade blogs 2019 in the world. 
 
Many thanks to the NAMA and BSEP administrations teams for organising this event.

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Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme (BSEP) and Academy, NAMA and (SSE) the School for Social Entrepreneurs London International Scholarship Programme 2018 - Cohort 1

Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme (BSEP) and Academy, NAMA and (SSE) the School for Social Entrepreneurs London International Scholarship Programme 2018 - Cohort 1

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Fair Trade Travels - Visit to the Good Shepherd Sisters and Interview with Sister Louise Horgan

Fair Trade Travels - Visit to the Good Shepherd Sisters and Interview with Sister Louise Horgan

During the final week of June I traveled to Thailand to visit Sister Louise of the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok, Thailand.

Many thanks to Sister Louise for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk about her pioneering work.

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Fair Trade Travels - Heritage Crafts and Cafe Bangkok (ThaiCraft) and Interview with Mr Stephen Salmon

Fair Trade Travels - Heritage Crafts and Cafe Bangkok (ThaiCraft) and Interview with Mr Stephen Salmon

In a recently restored building in one of one of the oldest pats of Bangkok, the Heritage Craft Shop and Café is a beautiful respite from the heat and a wonderful place to conduct to some fair trade retail therapy.

Conveniently located in the old city of Bangkok near (Rattanakosin Island).

The Heritage Craft and Cafe is a treasure trove of lovingly hand crafted fair trade gifts have been selected by its founder Mr Stephen Salmon.

Highly recommended the gorgeous interior has been lovingly restored.

The cafe serves freshly brewed fair-trade coffee or tea and yummy chocolate cake.

I had the honour and privilege of visiting Mr Salmon again and thank him for his time.

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November 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

November 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This November I travelled to the UK to attend appointments with medical professionals.

Completed a photo shoot of new fairtrade products.

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July 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

July 2018 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This July I traveled to the UK and visited the London Textile Fair with my dear friend Sunita.

I attended the UK leg of the Social Entrepreneurship Programme in 
London with the Badiri Academy, NAMA and the School for Social Entrepreneurs London and Cornwall.

Many thanks to all the guest speakers and the NAMA and SSE's teams for their support, expertise and wisdom.

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