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The Little Fair Trade Blog

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.

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World Cancer Day 2020 with Sabeena Ahmed

World Cancer Day 2020 with Sabeena Ahmed

Hello, Assalaam Alaikum, peace and blessings,

My name is Sabeena and this is my message for World Cancer Day 2020!

My beautiful mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer March 2012, she was 59 years old.

Mum courageously received 4 years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before she returned to her maker April 2016, she was 62 years old.

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Common Purpose and The Pakistani Disapora Leaders Programme - October 2019, London, UK

Common Purpose and The Pakistani Disapora Leaders Programme - October 2019, London, UK

I wrote to the Common Purpose London team late September and was accepted on their prestigious 5 day Pakistani Disapora Leaders Programme. 
Here is my summary of the Program.
 
Many thanks to Common Purpose team Ms Joanna Hancox and
Mr Mohammad Aladham and Chief Executive Alison Coburn for making the program accessible and providing medical assistance and dietary requirements.

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October 2019 - Newsletter Video blog Summary

October 2019 - Newsletter Video blog Summary

This October I continued with Plastic Free July. 

Participated in the Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Programme with Common Purpose UK.
Received my copies of His Own Man A Victorian 'Hidden' Muslim The Life and Times of Robert 'Reschid' Stanley - Christina Longden
and
Generation Share The change-makers building the Sharing Economy -
Benita Matofska and Sophie Sheinwald.

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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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Women's Words Workshop - Gorton Library (November 2017)

Women's Words Workshop - Gorton Library (November 2017)

It was lovely to finally meet the team from the Women's World Project, Manchester in association with The Pankhurst Centre.

I had a lovely afternoon meeting strong willed, ambitious, beautiful women.

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October 2017 Newsletter Video Blog Summary

October 2017 Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This October I was interviewed by Voice of Islam Radio Station, London, UK.

My interview with Paksy Plackis-Chang and Impact Mania was released on Twitter and Facebook.

I presented fair trade to ladies at a coffee morning.

I finally had my surgery for my rotater cuff. My right shoulder is painful but healing.

I welcomed my friend Joanna Smieja from Poland. It was Joanna's first visit to Dubai and the UAE.

Suported Anti-Poverty Week 2017, Dubai, UAE. 

Recorded my tribute to my beloved mother for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Received my ''This Is Manchester'' tribute book.

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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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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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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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World Cancer Day 2017 - Video Message in English and Urdu

World Cancer Day 2017 - Video Message in English and Urdu

This is my message for World Cancer Day in memory of my beloved mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano, cancer patients past and present and ladies who have a history of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

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Fair Trade Pioneers - Visit to Traidcraft, UK - 2011 & 2015

Fair Trade Pioneers - Visit to Traidcraft, UK - 2011 & 2015

My Visit to Traidcraft

I recently visited Alistair Menzies at Traidcraft's head office, Gateshead, UK and was invited to provide input for a video the Traidcraft team is producing for FairtradeUAE.

This was my second visit to Gateshead and I was interested to learn about Traidcraft's new initiatives and fair trade products.

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