‘Humbling experience’ as Fair Trade worker tells her story

CASTLEISLAND Community College and the wider community were privileged to have a visit from Fair Trade Ireland recently.

They listened to the story of Juliet Arku-Mensah from Ghana who works on the banana plantation Vrel.

The co-op supplies bananas to Fair Trade and those present listened as she relayed how supplying to Fairtrade has given the workers and their families the mere basics to survive. It was a truly humbling experience.

Fair trade pays a premium (bonus) to the co-op and this is invested back into the community by the Vrel workers. Schools in Ghana are located under the shelter of a tree. However when it becomes too hot or when it rains, school is cancelled. The Fair Trade premium has allowed the Vrel co-op to build classrooms for their community.

Toilets in Ghana are a hole in a ground which attracts insects. These insects can then land on food and carry diseases. The Fair Trade premium has provided the money to buy the materials to build toilets for the community.

Some mosquitoes will carry malaria and this can life threatening. The Fair Trade premium has bought mosquito nets so that people are covered during the night to prevent being bitten.

Juliet has three children. She stated that in Ghana when a women leaves her job to have a baby, she terminates her postition. Fair Trade does not allow this as it pays a maternity wage to the mother.

Secondary school education is only for the elite in Ghana as the fees are just too expensive. The Fair Trade premium provides scholarships to promising students. 90% of the people working in the co-op cannot read or write. Deals are made using sign language. The Fair Trade premium is now educating workers to become literate.

Fair trade is certainly the difference between life with versus life without. Fair Trade products are available in all our supermarkets eg tea, coffee, bananas. We have the power to make a difference when we shop. Fair Trade does not cost any more than other brands. It just means that more of the profit goes back to the farmer. Just look for the Fair Trade on products.

So why not be the change you wish to see - support Fair Trade.

Fair Trade and banana plantation worker, Juliet Arku pictured during her inspirational visit to Castleisland Community College last Wednesday. Ms Arku is pictured with: Liam Moloney, Joseph Sheehy, Mary Walsh, Niall Fagan, Sheila Hannon, Denise...