Fair beginnings  

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Sue Fisher, an early Traidcraft Fair Trader, shares memories of fair trade going back 30 years.

‘In 1979 the first Traidcraft catalogue came through my door. I was fascinated by the exotic artefacts, speaking plainly of a life so different from ours. By becoming a Fair Trader I saw a way to connect consumer and producer, and to put into action the self-help and empowerment  embodied in the slogan of ‘aid through trade’.

In 1981 I visited jute workers on a tour to Bangladesh and saw their emerging confidence, built by the power of a dignified wage. After I retired I went on more Meet the People tours run by Traidcraft. Seeing worker empowerment, particularly of women, remains the most thrilling aspect of these visits. I saw this recently at the Peermade Tea Factory, Kerala, source of Equal Exchange’s Fairtrade organic tea. To meet Fairtrade criteria, women farmers must be included as Fairtrade premium committee members.

Twenty-eight years on, I saw again the excitement of a new empowerment for these teapickers and growers. One brave woman, Anasomer, had accepted her nomination and actively encouraged other women to take part. I’m a speaker for the Wales Fair Trade Forum and a schools assessor for the Fairtrade Foundation. Seeing the interest of pupils is rewarding and encouraging, from the recognition of the FAIRTRADE Mark in the very young to the realisation of trade justice issues in 6th forms. Sometimes I’ll run a stall in a school where I previously spoke.

Children come and tell me their mum now buys from the Coop, or show me their Fairtrade posters, or their parents say ‘I’ve got to buy Fairtrade bananas or I’m in trouble at home!’ or ‘I’m glad I found out about Divine chocolate’. The next generation is crucial to the continuing success of Fairtrade. Thanks to the Fairtrade Schools scheme, this is a developing and enthusiastic reality.

The work of the Fairtrade Foundation, the FAIRTRADE Mark and the schools initiative are a means of education scarcely envisaged by those who supported fair trade in the early days.’ For more on the Fairtrade Foundation, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk

© Fairtrade Foundation November 2009


You can click on the following links for more information about our tours to Bangladesh and Southern India 

For more information on any of our tours please call Lizzie or Paul in the office on 0191 2651110 or email us at info@skedaddle.co.uk


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The company's registered office is The Cycle Hub, Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, NE6 1BU

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