If you imagine 1000 injustices... And picture each family affected, each abuse of power where the rich get richer at the expense of the poor...You still wouldn't be close to the scale of what's going on in the world right now. Injustice is everywhere.
But we can make things better - one small step at a time. Because it's through a thousand small steps that we actually start to make a difference. Together we can move towards a future where all trade is fair.
That’s what your support to Traidcraft means for the women of South Senegal – being able to afford the simple, everyday things that will make a world of difference to their children, because when you can’t afford the “little things”... well, you realise they aren’t so “little” after all.
Your support to the Traidcraft stalls means that fruit farmers in Casamance, South Senegal can come together and work as part of a group, giving them a stronger voice and a more secure income.That means they can start to afford the things that many of us are lucky enough to take for granted. Yacime, a fruit farmer and mother of five, explains:
“Before we formed the association, I couldn’t afford shoes for the children. “They used to ask their father, ‘Can we have shoes?’ and we had to say no. Now I can say yes, and they all have shoes which protect their feet on the way to school.”
For Yacime, the daily walk to school is just the first step of a bigger journey:
“I hope my children will get work after they complete their education and have jobs with salaries. I want success for my children – that is more important than success for me.”
Yacime herself never went to school, but thanks to your support, a brighter future for her children isn’t just a dream – it’s a reality.
That’s the beauty of trade when it’s done right – it keeps families happy, healthy and thriving – not just today, but for generations.
Thank you for continuing to support Traidcraft.
Our next Sunday stall will be on Sunday June 16th after the 10am service.
Jackie Natt 01453 731018.
Unfortunately, I missed the deadline for the May issue of the magazine. I very much regretted this as it included a tribute to Agnes Hutchinson, a very much respected and well-loved member of Box WI. So, I am including it this month and apologise for the late entry!
We were all very sorry to learn of the death of Agnes Hutchinson on 20th March aged 99. We offer our sincere condolences to Betty, her life-time friend. Betty and Agnes first met when teaching at Uttoxeter and then moved to Minchinhampton. They both joined Minchinhampton WI in 1982 and 5 years later joined Box WI. They were both very active members taking positions of secretary and treasurer for many years – no mean task! They went on 20 different courses at Denman College, amongst which were Elizabethan and Regency Dancing, Photography and Stumpwork Embroidery. Agnes was very talented in embroidery and produced beautiful work. During her last years at Ilsom House, Agnes enjoyed joining in the varied activities the home offered. It is good to know she was well cared for in her final years.
Continue Reading
We spent a most entertaining afternoon at our meeting on April 3rd. First of all we had an Easter Bonnet parade and competition, judged by our members. Afterwards, an enjoyable quiz with twenty very unusual questions.
Tea and hot cross buns, delicious home made biscuits and simnel cakes ended the afternoon.
Our next meeting will be at 2pm on Wednesday May 1st in the Library and new members are always very welcome.
In February we had a very interesting talk by Sue Simmonds on “Celebrities at the Market House.” It made me realise how many well-known and famous people actually live in our area! I must congratulate Sue on her ability to spot them and chat them up!!
On 27th March three of our members are going to the Annual Council Meeting in Cheltenham. The speaker for that event is Helen Pankhurst CBE, great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. She is an International Development and Women’s Rights activist and writer and will no doubt be a fascinating speaker.
Meetings at Box Village Hall are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10am business, coffee at 10.30am followed by a speaker. Visitors are warmly welcomed at 10.30am - £3 including coffee.
Geraldine Ames, President.
Imagine a world where all the trading is fair without any exploitation.
At Traidcraft Exchange their vision is of a world where all trade is fair – not just a few items on your supermarket shelf. But what would that world actually look like? It's hard to imagine a global trading system free from any trace of exploitation or unfair wages - but that's exactly whatyou'd get. Whether you're at your local supermarket, or a cloth stall in southern India - it would all be fair. Every item bought would tell the story of another life changed through the power of trade. In that world, the gap between rich and poor would be smaller. Families would always be fed, children would always be educated. It sounds far fetched but that is Traidcraft’s vision and they take steps towards it everyday. By buying items from Traidcraft , you have helped work towards this vision 
over the years.
However, things are changing in the way that Traidcraft are selling their goods.
It is not the idea of fair trade that does no longer work....but the way the products are sold. All the Traidcraft groceries will now be available to buy from supermarkets.
We are continuing to hold a monthly stall in church but many of the items are no longer available for us to stock. Many of you will have noticed that Geobars and many biscuits have disappeared.
We will carry on for as long as possible ...until it becomes no longer sustainable to hold a monthly stall.
Our next Sunday stall will be on Sunday April 28th after the 10am service. Thank you for continuing to support Traidcraft.
Jackie Natt 01453 731018
Traidcraft is 40 years old !!
Back in 1979,the founders of Traidcraft wanted to show that trade, not just aid, was the way forward. Today, after 40 years of trading, the business has seen many changes – but its core mission remains the same.
Traidcraft originally started selling products in churches and community shops and the profits went back into helping farmers who were producing the goods. The charity also wanted to educate consumers in the UK about alternative trade with those producers who supplied Traidcraft products.
Continue Reading
