Fairtrade Fortnight 2021
22nd Feb to 7th March
During the two weeks of Fairtrade Fortnight, individuals, groups and companies come together to celebrate people in developing countries who grow much of the food we eat, but who are often underpaid and exploited.
At Hampstead Parish Church we usually hold a Big Brew after the morning service to raise money for Traidcraft Exchange, the charitable arm of the Traidcraft organisation. Last year we decided to hold this event earlier than usual and, thank goodness we did. As a result, we were able to send £332.24 to Traidcraft Exchange, before lockdown came into force.
Soon afterwards we had to stop holding our monthly stall selling Traidcraft goods. However, with the easing of restrictions over the summer, the church was able to hold a very successful Open House day when we set up a stall selling refreshments which raised £139.43. We are grateful to all those who have purchased from Traidcraft in the past and, by doing so, generously helped some of the poorest people in the world.
Throughout the pandemic, Traidcraft Exchange staff has continued their work supporting people in developing countries.
- In Tanzania the government does not accept that coronavirus is a threat and Traidcraft Exchange has continued its work supporting people with disabilities such as sight loss, to find work.
- In India coronavirus means that work has completely dried up for women who work in garment factories. Traidcraft Exchange has been providing emergency relief to many of these vulnerable households
- In Bangladesh communities have had to face the double challenge of Covid-19 and extreme flooding. Some coastal and riverside communities have lost homes, crops and marketplaces but Traidcraft Exchange has continued to run training sessions helping to support the long term sustainability of these groups.
This year the focus of Fairtrade Fortnight is climate change, and the growing problems this poses to farmers and workers within the Fairtrade community. Climate change is a huge challenge in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Honduras; countries that have contributed least to the causes of climate change. Drought, crop disease, floods and heatwaves are among the challenges they face and with the emergence of the global COVID pandemic, the problems for farmers in developing countries are bigger than ever.
Choosing to buy fair trade ethical food and drink is a way to make a difference . Through fair trade, farmers and growers can earn enough to feed their families, send their children to school, provide a future for their local community and, helped by charities such as Traidcraft Exchange, they can look for solutions to the problems they face due to climate change.
This year Traidcraft have asked us to delay our Big Brew until later in the year. We hope that with an easing of restrictions we will be able to meet personally.
We certainly hope to resume selling Traidcraft goods once restrictions permit. In the meantime, purchases can be ordered direct from the Traidcraft Shop at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk and donations can