In the last few months, we in the UK have stayed at home and avoided contact with others wherever possible. However, being able to stay safe by socially distancing is a privilege, made possible by financial stability and government support. For many people across the world, it’s simply not possible.
When you live in poverty, the reality is that you survive by working together in communities, not by retreating into isolation.
That is why setting up associations and farmers' groups is an integral part of how Traidcraft Exchange helps people in poverty to recover from this crisis – because people are stronger when they unite. At the moment, the practical side of this may look a little different – smaller numbers and outdoor meetings – but the aims remain the same.
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After almost 4 months of pandemic restrictions, Marah is still going! We are still serving hot food in takeaways from the scout hut and our guests greatly appreciate the meals. We are also grateful to the many people who have baked cakes for us to give out. Waitrose and Tesco have been great at giving us their dated fruit and bread which we also give out to supplement our guests’ diets. The food bank let us have food parcels for distribution which keeps the most needy going throughout the week. Our guests can also request milk, tea, coffee, sugar, toiletries, toilet paper and washing pods.
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Although the Nkokoto-Minchinhampton Committee has not been able to meet, the delivery of projects continues and could be more critical than ever in this vulnerable population. We rely on our local contacts to work in the villages and their commitment and regular communication continues unchanged.
Regarding COVID-19, Tanzania has reported (1st May) that there are 480 confirmed cases with 16 deaths; however there are international concerns about the response. Although all schools and Universities remain closed (since 17th March) the President John Magufuli has not imposed stringent restrictions; attendance to places of worship is encouraged and on International Workers Day, workers were told that coronavirus should not stop them from serving Tanzania. The President is also quoted as saying that “this virus is like a change of wind and it will go like others have gone…….the virus is satanic and it cannot survive in the body of Jesus. It will burn.”
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It's been a shocking few weeks across the world. Here in the UK, we are experiencing lockdowns and changes unprecedented in our lifetimes. Schools and offices are closed, and many face huge financial difficulties. It's no exaggeration to say that life has become more difficult for most people and will in all probability get much worse as the virus spreads.
For many of the people where Traidcraft Exchange works in the global south, this insecurity and difficulty isn't new – it's part of daily life. But with coronavirus sweeping the world, the most vulnerable face extreme difficulties. In the countries where they work, healthcare systems are already fragile and stretched beyond their capacities. Coronavirus has the potential to endanger huge swathes of the population. Many places are starkly under-prepared for what is to come. At the time of writing, the number of cases across Africa is growing daily.
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At first glance, ‘making trade fairer’ and ‘protecting the plant’ might seem like two different objectives but looking at what they both mean shows that they go ‘hand in hand’.
For far too long, conventional trade and business has been driven by both exploitation of some of the world’s poorest people and a sapping of the planet’s natural resources. As a result, the climate crisis continues with rising sea levels, burning forests and entire communities being uprooted.
It is obvious that anything that affects the planet has very real consequences for people too. Traidcraft Exchange has seen evidence that weather patterns are becoming so unpredictable that they are affecting crops and soil is being depleted of nutrients. Trade must be fair to the planet or it will never be fair to people.
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Readers and sponsors will know that the Link sponsors twelve Nkokoto students at the Folk Development College in Urambo on vocational courses in building, 
mechanics, electrical, computer skills, carpentry or needlework/ tailoring. At the end of the course, the Link presents each student with a tool box, in the case of the needlework students, a sewing machine plus materials. Last year, the group of girls who qualified from their course combined their machines, equipment and materials and set up a cooperative, making clothes for the villagers and uniforms for the school students and FDC students. This enterprise has been such a success that the three students who completed their course at the college in December have joined the group, called the Minchinhampton Tailoring Group. It is great to see the students who we sponsor making such a success of their venture. And now, the engineering students have taken a leaf out of the needlework girls’ book and, with the help of their families in building the garage and yard, are establishing a garage in Urambo which they are calling “The Minch Nkokoto Garage.” This the Link is supporting with the finances that would have been used to buy their tool kits (plus a little more!) Both groups have a constitution and local trustees, including involvement by the Urambo Council Officers. We wish both groups of Nkokoto young men and women every success with their ventures.
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Garment factory workers across Asia are also facing extreme hardship.The UK clothes market is down by a third. Factories have been closing as orders dry up. Some have not even been paid for work they did back in March.