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The Little Fair Trade Blog

Ethical Pioneers - Dr Mike Thair and Ms Le Thant Thuy - Indochine Natural, Penang, Malaysia

Ethical Pioneers - Dr Mike Thair and Ms Le Thant Thuy - Indochine Natural, Penang, Malaysia

I was excited to finally meet with fair trade ethical, organic pioneer and research scientist Dr Mike Thair and Marketing Head Ms Le Thant Thuy at their head office Penang, Malaysia.

Dr Thair and Ms Le arranged for me to visit the Asia Community Centre and Stepping Stone Penang.

Many thanks to Hasra Othman (Manager), Shogu artist in residence from Osaka Japan and the other volunteers who took valuable time out of their schedules to show us the centre and its facilities.

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Fair Trade Ethical Living - Fair trade chocolate master class and interview with Bruce Crowther MBE, Garstang, United Kingdom

Fair Trade Ethical Living - Fair trade chocolate master class and interview with Bruce Crowther MBE, Garstang, United Kingdom

I had the good fortune to visit Bruce Crowther, MBE during November 2016 and spent a morning learning how to produce fair trade chocolate bean to bar.

Fredrick is a member of the Kuapa Kukoo Farmers Cooperative Ghana, and it was wonderful feeling knowing he had grown the cocoa for our chocolate.

We began our chocolate making at the crack of dawn and I was nervous not to make any mistakes and spoil Bruce's batch of chocolate.

I have posted all the photographs chronologically as we produced the chocolate.

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Kindness.org tribute to my mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano

Kindness.org tribute to my mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano

August 1st 2017 marks my mother’s 65th birthday.

My beloved mother was a ‘courageous woman, she was my first school of thought, love, compassion and my paradise.’

Mum was an extraordinarily humble, kind and charismatic lady.

She could strike up a conversation with anyone. An empathetic listener, amazing chef and gardener, she possessed a sharp wit and humour that would instantly lift your spirits.

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July 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

July 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

This month I was I was approached by Ellen van Dongen of the Responsible Shopping Dubai website and asked if The Little Fair Trade Shop would like to be featured. I said YES!

Attended my first Dubai Vegan Meet Up, continued with my Who Made My Clothes course and was diagnosed with a painful frozen shoulder.

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Fair Trade Pioneers - Jeremy Piercy, Shared Earth, York, United Kingdom

Fair Trade Pioneers - Jeremy Piercy, Shared Earth, York, United Kingdom

I spent most of August 2016 with my siblings in London and mustered the energy to board a train to historical York to visit Shared Earth and talk with founder and owner Jeremy Piercy.

Many thanks to David Piercy for his time and support during my visit.

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Fair Trade Coffee and Cake with Mums at the Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery - Dubai, UAE

Fair Trade Coffee and Cake with Mums at the Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery - Dubai, UAE

One bright and beautiful Sunday morning the 7th February 2016 to be precise. I and my merry fair trade supporters Saima and Fred visited the Home Grown Children's Eco Nursery.

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Fair Trade Pioneers - Bruce Crowther MBE, The FIG Tree, United Kingdom

Fair Trade Pioneers - Bruce Crowther MBE, The FIG Tree, United Kingdom

The FIG Tree Garstang/Lancaster, United Kingdom

I first visited The Fig Tree October 2011 when it was a mere shell and was invited to a fair trade tea party, August 2012.

The enthusiasm, passion and the warm welcome I received was overwhelming and humbling. I was impressed by its amazing transformation.

I revisited The Fig Tree November 2016 where I was invited to participate in a Chocolate Master Class with the Godfather of Fairtrade Bruce Crowther MBE.

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Interview - Mrs Gulshan Bibi, (WFTO) member SABAH/SUNGI Pakistan & FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN INTERVIEWS & VISITS 2011 & 2015

Interview - Mrs Gulshan Bibi, (WFTO) member SABAH/SUNGI Pakistan & FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN INTERVIEWS & VISITS 2011 & 2015

I fulfilled a life time ambition to visit Pakistan December 2011 and February 2015 and met the only two fair trade certified organisations in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

I also conducted interviews with a government official and non profit organisations who are working towards implementing the ten principles of fair trade. Each organisation has a dual role and purpose;

1. to support rural artisans establish and develop strong sustainable projects and
2. revive traditional skills and techniques.

I have attached interviews with Fairtrade and NGO's I visited during December January 2011/12 and February/March 2015.

THE DOMINION TRADERS

SABAH PAKISTAN

THE RA'ANA LIAQUAT CRAFTMEN'S COLONY

THE HOME BASED WOMEN'S WORKERS FEDERATION

AHAN - AIK HUNAR AIK NAGAR

KAARVAN CRAFTS - PRIDE PAKISTAN

AL FALAH TRUST AND EMBROIDERY PROJECT

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Interviews - The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmen's Colony (RLCC), Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interviews - The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmen's Colony (RLCC), Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmen's Colony

Income Generation Programme
 
The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmen's Colony was founded by Begum Ra'ana Liaquat, 1954.

I visited their inspirational headquarters and observed training workshops where ladies were taught to produce beautiful up-cycled products.

Mrs Nisreen was happy to share her story and work experiences. It was wonderful to learn how the income generation programme had empowered her and given her the opportunity to supplement her income by designing crochet products.

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Interviews - The Dominion Traders, Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015), FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interviews - The Dominion Traders, Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015), FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

The Dominion Traders

Fairly traded Marble and Onyx Producers

The Dominion Traders have been promoting fair trade in Pakistan since 1947.

I had the good fortune of interviewing Mr Syed Fahad Ali, Chief Executive Officer and his team of talented artisans when I visited their offices and factory, December 2011.

Since it's inception the organisation has supported approximately 60 employees who are treated with the utmost love and respect. Employees receive fair wages, are employed in good working conditions and are provided with medical care.

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Interview - Kaarvan Crafts, Pride of Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan, 2011, FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interview - Kaarvan Crafts, Pride of Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan, 2011, FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

KAARVAN CRAFTS - PRIDE PAKISTAN

Kaarvan's mission is to be a fairtrade market leader by producing and retailing affordable and sophisticated hand crafted products in local and export markets.

It provides employment opportunities and marketing and advisory services to women and girls in low income communities so that they can enhance their economic realities.

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Interview - (AHAN) Aik Hunar Aik Nagar, Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interview - (AHAN) Aik Hunar Aik Nagar, Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

AHAN - AIK HUNAR AIK NAGAR

Ahan is a non profit company created by the Pakistani Industrial Corporation in 2006.

It has 4 offices based in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi.

It aims to provide employment for small marginalised craftsman and artisans around Pakistan.

It works to revive traditional handicrafts through skill enhancement, product development, technological output, quality control and market and financial support.

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Interview - Al Falah Trust and Embroidery Project, Karachi, Pakistan, 2011 & 2015, FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interview - Al Falah Trust and Embroidery Project, Karachi, Pakistan, 2011 & 2015, FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

I was honoured to interview Dr Badar Siddiqui of The Al Falah Trust and Embroidery Project, December 2011.

The Al Falah Trust and Embroidery Project was founded by Mrs. Shahina Siddiqui in 1995.

The organisation supports disadvantaged and marginalised women from, Taluka, Mirpur, Sakhro, Thatha (Tatta) in the province of Sindh.

Traditional embroidery and home accessories are produced using traditional patterns and colours that promote their rich heritage which would otherwise be lost or forgotten.

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Interviews - Home Based Women's Workers Federation (HBWWF), Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

Interviews - Home Based Women's Workers Federation (HBWWF), Karachi, Pakistan, (2011 & 2015) FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN SERIES

I was privileged and honoured to interview Ms Zehra Khan, Mrs Jameela and many other ladies at the The Home Based Women's Workers Federation during December/January 2011 and February 2015.

The Home Based Women's Workers Federation with over 4600 members in Quetta (Balochistan) and Hyderabad and Karachi (Sindh).

It's main aim is to advocate and lobby for the rights of home based women workers in Pakistan.

The Federation provides training such as embroidery, leather production and jewellery and fashion design.

Ladies proficient in their chosen skills are selected to mentor and train ladies in their local areas and campaign for a decent living wage by negotiating fair prices through collective bargaining.

HBWWF hopes to develop international partners who can provide assistance with marketing, advertising and product development.

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Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Fair Trade Travels

Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Fair Trade Travels

During Ramadan my husband decided to take a weeks annual leave to Kuala Lumpur and I was luckily enough to accompany him.

I'd never visited Malaysia during Ramadan so I felt privileged to see Malaysia from an fasting perspective.

I enjoyed visiting the Butterfly Park which was an oasis of calm and tranquility in the concrete jungle but didn't like the netting.  

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May 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

May 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

This May I celebrated World Fair Trade Day 2017 with ladies at the Dubai Business Women Council and thoroughly enjoyed the workshop 'Thursday Night at the ER.'

 

My photograph was included in the Kindness.org community photo mosaic and I attended Beauty World Middle East.

 

Cried and prayed for the victims of the Manchester and London attacks.

 

Participated in live webinar with the World Pulse team.

 

I am grateful The Little Fair Trade Shop was featured in the My Bayut website.

 

I welcomed Ramadan 2017 and continued my course of iron transfusions.

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World Fair Trade Day 2017 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

World Fair Trade Day 2017 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This years World Fair Trade Organization campaign was 'Agent For Change', Human Chains for Fair Trade and the Planet.

I am very grateful to the beautiful ladies at the Dubai Business Women Council who very kindly modelled the Agent for Change posters for me.

I also managed to go to Jumeirah beach and conduct an impromptu beach photo shoot near the iconic Burj Al Arab.

Best wishes to all fairtrade producers, artists, supporters, volunteers and friends around the world for being the voice and change for social, environmental and trade justice.

RESPECT, STAY STRONG, PEACE AND BLESSINGS!

Sabeena

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April 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

April 2017 - Video Blog Newsletter Summary

This month I completed the WFTO Asia - Introduction to Gender course and my Six Items Challenge 2017.

Attended The Muslim Lifestyle Show said hello to the Macmillan Cancer Support volunteers and purchased fairtrade dates from the Zaytoun stand.

Travelled to Manchester, UK to pay respects to my parents. A year has passed since my beautiful mother passed away from metastatic breast cancer.

Enjoyed a vegetarian lunch and interviewed Dr Sara Parker who has designed two fairtrade puppet sets with fairtrade producers in Nepal.

Celebrated Fashion Revolution Week.

Continued to mentor and support my World Pulse Change Maker Joanna in Poland.

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Fair Trade Ethical Living - Odylique Product Review, Videos and Photo shoot

Fair Trade Ethical Living - Odylique Product Review, Videos and Photo shoot

Last year I had a couple of lovely online conversations with Abi Weeds Managing Director and Emma Hopewell of Odylique - Essential (Organics) Ltd.

I was particularly interested to support Odylique as it is a leading brand of cosmetics based in the United Kingdom that pride them selves on promoting their organic, vegan, fairtrade, cruelty free ethos and specialise in treating problematic sensitive, reactive and allergy prone skin.

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November 2016 Newsletter Video Blog Summary

November 2016 Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This November I finally managed to meet with Heather Masoud and the team at Zaytoun.

I had an instrumental and life changing meeting to discuss fairtrade with the Muslim Council of Britain, attended a debate organised by the Brent Fairtrade Network about the future of fairtrade.

Produced bean to bar chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE in Garstang and enjoyed a beautiful Emirati lunch with Mr Andy Biggs Chief Operating Officer at Traidcraft and his wife at the wonderful Sheikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

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Fairtrade Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Dubai, UAE and Manchester, UK

Fairtrade Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Dubai, UAE and Manchester, UK

October will always be a special month for me. Its a bitter sweet feeling one of immense, love, pain and optimism.

This year I supported the Pink Caravan UAE team by volunteering at their breast screening tent during their first Pink Ladies Games.

I hope to ease the pain of losing Mum by working to prevent the disease through early detection.

I also decided to enrol on the Future Learn course ''Talk About Cancer.''

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Fair Trade Breaks Poverty and Anti-Poverty Week in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Fair Trade Breaks Poverty and Anti-Poverty Week in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

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September 2016 Newsletter Blog Summary

September 2016 Newsletter Blog Summary

This September I re-launched my fairtrade organic baby and children's range, renewed my trade license, subscribed to the Ethical Consumer magazine supported the global goals for sustainable development and baked cakes for Macmillan Cancer.

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August 2016 Newsletter Blog Summary

August 2016 Newsletter Blog Summary

This August I fulfilled an ambition of a lifetime by visiting Islamic Spain.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the International Business Standards Organization for making me a chartered signatory.

Many thanks to the charming and patient Anna Sadeghpour for featuring The Little Fair Trade Shop in her Blog ''10 Easy Ways To Make a Difference in Dubai.'' It was lovely to meet her for tea.

While visiting friends and family in the United Kingdom I boarded a train to historical York and met with Jeremy Piercy author and MD of Shared Earth at his flagship store, York, the United Kingdom.

On my final day in London I managed to visit my local fairtrade store Fair Deal Organic and Fair Trade located in North London.

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