Trade As One

Mother’s Day is less than one week away so we have been running a special series highlighting our producers who are also moms. According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day is the second largest consumer holiday behind the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza). So, we are excited to be able to share with you some of the individual stories of the women who make the products that you purchase from us. We hope that you choose to buy a gift for the special women in your life that will bring the world together.

Today’s story features Basima Atyani who is part of the women’s cooperative who rolls Maftoul (Couscous) for Canaan Fair Trade. You can purchase a beautiful gift basket called the Canaan Harvest Basket - a wonderful gift in honor of your mom and Basima too!

A self-taught high school graduate, Basima got married when she was in tenth grade and later studied all subjects on her own to take the high school graduation test called Tawjihi. A proud mother of five boys and two girls, Basima says she would rather not eat than not to send her kids to school. This is why she makes sure that her home is completely self-sustainable. Along with growing all kinds of vegetables, Basima raises sheep and makes cheese for the people in the village.

An expert in time management, this woman can multi task like no other. As the treasurer for the Anza Women’s Club she has her hands full with different projects that bring work and education opportunities for the women of her village. A member of the Canaan Fair Trade women’s cooperative, she works on making Maftoul during the summer and works as a seamstress the rest of the year. “I learned how to sew when my husband was not getting paid much as a teacher. I started making traditional dresses and then moved to embroidery and handcrafts. Some women ask me where I find the time but I say there is always time. It is a question of organizing what you do with it. I do all this and I have time to meet my social obligations.”

On top of all the work she does, Basima somehow finds time to volunteer. She is one of only two women members of the projects committee in Anza’s village council where she offers her advice as to what the community needs. “I was so happy when I brought the idea of a children’s park to the council and they got excited about it. It was just a thought but today the park is a reality and the kids play there instead of the streets. I feel so proud that I was part of the force that made this happen.”

This is exactly how she says she feels when she sees her hand rolled Maftoul in the nice boxes Canaan Fair Trade exports. “When I saw our Maftoul displayed in these nice boxes in Canaan’s showroom I felt that I could fly. This work has made me feel bigger, supported, and most of all appreciated. We always think here that the world does not see us so when I see that people know about our work and value it I start to feel really powerful and able. Women here, we do not want handouts and charities; we want to assert ourselves and our identities through work. This is why I have always wanted to be part of the Palestine Fair Trade Association, because the benefits we get are the product of our hard work. I take pride in that. When I sit down with myself, I feel at ease because I always made ends meet, even in the hardest of times.”

Thanks to Canaan Fair Trade for sharing Basima’s story with us.

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away so here is another installment in our special series highlighting our producers who are also moms. According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day is the second largest consumer holiday behind the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza). So, we are excited to be able to share with you some of the individual stories of the women who make the products that you purchase from us. We hope that you choose to buy a gift for the special women in your life that will bring the world together.

Juliana Fremah has 6 children and 7 grandchildren and lives in the Amankwatia village in Ghana. Juliana is a cocoa farmer, part of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative which supplies Divine Chocolate. But, not only do they supply Divine Chocolate, they also own 45% of the company which allows them both influence in decision-making and profit-sharing.

Juliana joined Kuapa Kokoo in 2000, and is very clear about what joining has meant to her.  “Getting together to form a Women’s Group, which Kuapa encourages us to do, meant we could get a Kuapa Credit loan, and use the money to plant secondary crops like Okro and Cassava.  Money from these crops helps in between cocoa harvests.  Since joining Kuapa we have been able to build our own house.”

The results of her work are very tangible. She says, “If not for Kuapa, I would not have enough money to feed my family, or enough to sell all year round.  Kuapa Kokoo has really helped me!”

You can learn more about how Divine empowers women by watching this short video:

If you want to give a meaningful Mother’s Day gift, buy some Divine Chocolate and share Juliana’s story. Chocolate should taste great and do good!

Mother’s Day is less than three weeks away so we are kicking off a special series highlighting our producers who are also moms. According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day is the second largest consumer holiday behind the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza). So, we are excited to be able to share with you some of the individual stories of the women who make the products that you purchase from us. We hope that you choose to buy a gift for the special women in your life that will bring the world together.

Khainza Jane is a member of the Peace Kawomera cooperative, the supplier of our Thanksgiving Coffee blend called the Trade as One Peace Blend. She explains that Peace Kawomera is an organization whose purpose it is to champion unity among people regardless of culture or religion to bring development. Her life has changed as a result of her membership in this cooperative. Specifically, Peace Kawomera has taught her how to care for her coffee so that yields have increased while also earning a fair price for her coffee. Since nine children live in her home, her life has been impacted in very practical ways as a result of fair trade coffee. She says she is able to educate her children, provide clothing and even purchase small animals like goats.

When she thinks about her hopes for the future, she says, “My hopes for the future are for all the children I am care taking to get work. I also want grandkids. It’s okay if they are farmers. I give thanks to the pioneers of Peace Kawomera, all the members of the board and the original members. I hope that relationships with Thanksgiving Coffee Company last for a long time so they can achieve their goals of education, because this type of relationship, growth, and partnership takes time”.

If this story has meaning to you and you want to purchase a gift that includes our Peace Blend coffee, try one of these gifts: Peace Blend Regular Coffee, Peace Blend Decaf Coffee, Peace Blend 3-Pack, A Taste of Fair Trade, Coffee Twist Bundle, or our Weekend Basket bundle (perfect for breakfast in bed!).



Photo Credit: Holly Moskowitz, Uganda 2009

Mother’s Day is less than three weeks away so we are kicking off a special series highlighting our producers who are also moms. According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day is the second largest consumer holiday behind the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza). So, we are excited to be able to share with you some of the individual stories of the women who make the products that you purchase from us. We hope that you choose to buy a gift for the special women in your life that will bring the world together.

Aluo Caroline is 30 years old and has 3 children.  She grew up in war-torn Northern Uganda but moved to Jinja as the fighting intensified so her family could escape the violence. Her work making jewelry for Light Gives Heat allows her to provide for her young family and pay for her brother’s education. There is a peace and sense of accomplishment she has in being able to provide for her family.

She has chosen hope and lives each day knowing she can make a difference in the lives of her children. The joy and warmth of Carol reminds us that hope is infectious (if we choose it!)