WHAT ARE THE REAL BENEFITS OF FAIRTRADE?
08.07.2011 - Many local consumers wonder what Fairtrade actually means for the people working on Fairtrade certified farms, their families and communities. When we promote Fairtrade we always talk about Fairtrade Standards, environmental sustainability, labour conditions, and empowerment for small-scale farmers and farm workers. But what does this mean in practice?
This morning we received a very good news from the Fairtrade certified Bosman Family Vineyards, situated in Wellington:
"Hi All,
Just wanted to share this with you.
Shineen October, daughter of Dennis October, our transportation officer, has recently done Bosman Family Vineyards proud by being selected in the South African karate team for the Commonwealth Games in Australia. All this would have not been possible if it was not for Fairtrade wine sales. She is really grateful that she can go, to say the least.
This afternoon I saw her 'giving back' by helping the young ones on the farm, that are currently on holiday, to master the basics of karate. I did not know anything about her karate lessons and saw it by accident while driving past the horse paddock. I could not resist to take some pictures and share them with you."
The farm workers at Bosman Family Vineyards have been using the Fairtrade Premium for a variety of project, including the co-funding of a Karate Club to offer a positive and group activity to the children of farm workers during the school holidays. That is how Shineen October found her love for karate, developed her passion and won a series of competitions in South Africa that led to her selection for the Commonwealth Games in Australia!
We hope that the investments made with the Fairtrade Premium across South African Fairtrade farms will encourage more and more young people to develop new skills and new passions and build a better future for themselves!
Please visit our PRODUCERS section for more stories on the benefits of Fairtrade.
