Campaigner's journey to see the work of Fairtrade
FAIRTRADE Eastbourne campaigner Jim Thomas recently returned from a trip of a lifetime to Uganda, where he visited a coffee project and saw how Fairtrade can make a difference.
Jim travelled with Sussex Downs College and visited, with other students, villages and schools and worked on a development project for seven weeks.
On a day excursion the group visited the Peace Kawomera Co-operative, which sells coffee to the US as Fairtrade.
The co-operative is made up of 1,500 farms representing 25,000 coffee farmers. Since 2004 Fairtrade has enabled farmers to send their children to school, start savings accounts, and reinvest in their farm.
"It was incredible to see such a beautiful country and to meet such a warm and friendly people," said Jim.
"Sussex Downs College has been making links and working with communities and projects in South Eastern Uganda for over four years now.
"The college has organised study tours for students that allow them the opportunity to witness development work, as well as giving them a glimpse of what life is like for so many people in Africa and all over the world – a life trapped in poverty.
"Still, through all of the struggles and suffering we saw, there is hope. I spent seven weeks at a project called Bungokho Rural Development Centre (BRDC] and was privileged enough to go out to visit communities being trained through the centre's outreach work.
"The centre approaches vulnerable people and communities and forms a relationship. They then ask the people what problems they face, and cooperatively, as a group they try to find solutions. It is all about empowerment.
"Since its establishment in 1995 BRDC has helped over 20,000 people through outreach work alone. BRDC offers knowledge and advice and does not give handouts. In the community they advise people on many issues ranging from getting safe water and making good compost for their crops to generating income from selling vegetables, etc.
"At the centre they give training in practical skills such as carpentry, building, tailoring and agriculture.
"I've been involved with the Fairtrade group for about a year and a half, and I've become more and more enthusiastic about Fairtrade.
"Such a small thing to us as choosing a particular brand of coffee at the supermarket means such a big difference to those growing the coffee.
"Finally, to fulfil my promise to many Ugandans, I would like to give everyone reading this greetings and love from Uganda!"
Fairtrade Eastbourne meets every third Tuesday of the month upstairs in Bibendum at 7.30pm. The meetings regularly include speakers, the next being Paul Sanderson MBE, director of CRED Jewellery, a Fairtrade and ethical luxury jewellery company, on September 15.
Visit www.fairtradeeastbourne.org.uk for more information.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
