FlipSite Blogs

Easter Gift

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

At Traidcraft we're always happy to see producers enjoying the finished product - so it's great that brothers Rabson and Gift were all smiles for the camera – or was it the prospect of enjoying the Traidcraft mini eggs before the chocolate melted?

They live in Malawi and their dad, Alfred, grows sugar cane which becomes the sugar that goes into Traidcraft's mini eggs!

This is what Alfred says:
"Before I was growing sugar, my family could only manage to have one type of vegetable... Now we are able to buy cooking oil and meat so we have a balanced diet. I am able to feed my children. Now each and every month I have got money."

Rabson, Gift, their 4 siblings and parents have fresh water in their village, thanks to a borehole paid for with the Fairtrade premium on sales of Kasinthula sugar, and they've recently got electricity too.

Electricity means that the boys have better light to do their homework, which may not sound great to you, but for them it means a lot! They used to work by the light of candles and paraffin lamps and being able to go to school means they can have hope for their future.

Electricity also makes a big difference to their mum who used to have to collect wood and make a fire to cook.

"Using Kasinthula sugar means you are assisting us farmers and our families and we are so happy that our sugar is being used by you."

Every time you buy Geobars, cookies, FairBreaks and - of course - mini eggs, you contribute to improving life for Rabson, Gift and others in their community.

Why not commit to giving only Fairtrade chocolate this Easter?

Happy new year!

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

First day back at Traidcraft towers.
This made me smile muchly...

15 things which prove you live in 2007

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

All from Fogtree

Busy, busy, busy...

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

We're all very busy at flip HQ trying to suss out how we can integrate our campaign into social networking sites like facebook and myspace! It's all very geeky, but we're getting there!

Brian's cutlery!

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

Every so often kind people send Traidcraft stuff they think we could sell to raise funds for our work with producers in the developing world. The other day we got a giant fork and spook which kept us all amused for hours as we tried to calculate how big you and your bowl of pasta would need to be to use them!

Let the blogging begin...

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

Since we laucned the site three weeks ago we haven't been able to blog dont know why some clever computer thing anyway that's all sorted now so with a bit of luck we should be able to regularly blog from now on. If you have an RSS reader make sure you subscribe to our feed if youve no idea what Im talking about you can find out more over here?

How very exciting

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

So after month's of hard work from the wonderful people at Face, our new website is live! Particular highlights for us are...

the rogues gallery- where you show your support by downloading our logo, play with it and send us your masterpiece.
the forum- where you can currently discuss this wonderful website and ask any questions you might have about Fairtrade.
flip out- probably the most exciting part of the site, but sadly it's not quite ready yet!

Fairtrade Fortnight is nearly here...

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

All is busy in the office here preparing for Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February-9th March).
Traidcraft Exchange have prepared a nice little pack to help schools increase awareness of Fairtrade and raise funds for their work. The pack is available to download at www.traidcraft.org.uk/whoseshoes or you can get a copy sent to you by calling Traidcraft (0845 330 8900).

Back from Eastbourne...

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

Just got back from Eastbourne (which I now realise is a seriously long way from Gateshead). Had a good weekend at the Youthwork Conference but am now shattered with lots of emails to catch up on, a funding application to write and 100 pairs of pants that need stickers on... oh joy!

be the change coasters

2008-03-14T11:21:23Z

Most of you will have seen the flip coasters. Well today we got a new batch delivered and it includes a new design... 'BE THE CHANGE' a quote which we can attribute to the great man Ghandi.
If you need any coasters for cafes or tuckshops be in touch and we'll see what we can do!