The Box Art Group has been unable to meet for our Thursday afternoon sessions for the last 9 months, but we have been able to foster a positive way forward
through our weekly newsletter, The Rainbow which is a weekly compilation of members’ contributions, generally in the form of articles on techniques, artists, and visits, and photographs of recent paintings and sketches. Several challenges have been set over the period, such as ‘view from a window’, ‘a portrait’, and a ‘five minute challenge’. One of our more fun challenges was to draw a picture of your face in the mirror while not looking at the paper. We had some interesting results!
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A huge THANK YOU to everyone who gave gifts of food, toiletries, clothes, chocolates and , of course, money during 2020. Marah is a charity for the homeless and vulnerable people of Stroud.
We used to run regular drop-ins at lunch times on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in Stroud, but last spring everything changed due to the pandemic. After March we could only serve take aways, but we kept Marah open and we saw the numbers steadily increase. From about 40 meals in mid March, we were serving around 100 take aways by the end of the year.
Our guests are vulnerable men and women (mostly men) who often have alcohol or drug addictions and some have mental health issues. By the end of the year we were finding that we were getting many people who were new to Marah who had fallen on hard times due to COVID.
Throughout last year our volunteers kept Marah open and still offered a smile, a welcome, a hot meal and support where necessary. We are extremely grateful for all the help given to us by our supporters.
I am constantly finding coffee, sugar, milk and other items in the Marah box in the porch room!! Every item donated is used and gratefully received. You are so very kind!! and we couldn’t open without your generosity.
On behalf of these vulnerable people, thank you.
Jackie Natt
It has been a very difficult few months. Coronavirus has changed the world as we know it and continues to impact on the ways in which we live and work.
In India and Bangladesh, factories have closed causing a huge number of people to migrate across the country and return to their family homes. Some UK fast fashion brands are still refusing to pay for orders to garment factories leaving millions of workers facing starvation. Farmers have been unable to harvest their crops and, across the world, markets have closed.
Traidcraft is all about long term, systematic change…building livelihoods through trade not aid. However over the last few months, Traidcraft has been supporting communities with food, soap and other basics to get them through this crisis. The long term impact of this crisis is yet to hit …and the economic and political consequences will be devastating for people living in poverty.

Recovery isn’t just about surviving the restrictions…it’s about coming together to build a radically different world where we face up to exploitation and global inequality and demand justice for the most vulnerable. If you would like to help go online to the Traidcraft website
At the moment and for the foreseeable future, we are unable to run our monthly Traidcraft stall in the porch room. However, we are taking orders.
If you would like to order anything, please contact me or Deborah Smith. (01453 883611)
Jackie Natt 01453 731018
In the last few months, there has been a lot of working from home in the UK , thanks to the changes that coronavirus has made to the way we live. Balancing working from home with childcare has been very difficult for lots of people. For thousands of women in India, working excessively long hours from home while looking after children and running a household isn’t new....it is how things have always been for them.
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Whilst we have been in isolation, Nkokoto has not suffered so much; all schools are now reopened and the Uhuru clinic is fully operational. Alison and Rod met regularly and felt that it is important that we continue to meet all commitments, which we have done. Fortunately, our bank balance has allowed the Link to make good on all commitments. Charles Mswima, the Urambo Government representative has also provided us with updates regarding government funding, so this is have included for your information.
SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE: We were asked to support the clinics in buying supplies and in May we sent 750,000 Tsh, (£250.) Because there were some excess funds from the Uhuru clinic building works, a total of 1,019,000 Tsh (£335) was used for buying hand washing soap and masks for Nkokoto and Uhuru clinics. In June, Charles Mswima reported that there were no deaths reported at Nkokoto and Urambo District at large. Only four patients were quarantined and they all recovered.
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Imagine if no matter how hard you worked today, you couldn't afford to put food on the table.
For millions of people around the world, that's the reality they face. A fair income gives you freedom, security and hope for the future. It allows you to feed your family and educate your children. That is the power of trade done well.
But unfair trade amplifies poverty. It makes the rich richer and leaves the poor behind. Traidcraft Exchange exists to do two things...
To support people to harness the benefits of trade
To fight against injustice in global trade
It's a simple mission, but it is changing lives all over the world.
Development Programmes
Traidcraft Exchange run programmes in developing countries, supporting poor and vulnerable people to get a better deal from trade.
Campaigning
With our support, Traidcraft Exchange campaign to transform the way trade works - aiming for high-impact, sustainable changes.
Policy and Advocacy 
Traidcraft Exchange advocate for better trade policies and better business practices in the UK.
If you feel compelled to take action, please, consider a donation, or get in contact with Traidcraft for ways you can support them from the safety of your own home.
At the moment and for the foreseeable future, we are unable to run our monthly Traidcraft stall in the porch room …
however, we do have some items for sale that we are now reducing .
If you would anything, please contact me or Deborah Smith.
Jackie Natt
01453 731018