What will YOU swap?

Fairtrade Fortnight starts 22 February and this year the theme is The Big Swap.  The Fairtrade Foundation is encouraging people to swap items they normally buy for the Fair Trade equivalent and there's plenty to choose from among 3,000 certified Fair Trade products.  For a full list, go to the website, http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products.

This year there is a particular emphasis on TEA. We British are renowned as a nation of tea lovers, but although Fairtrade sales in the UK have risen dramatically over the past 10 years, only 10% of the tea sold in Britain is Fairtrade.  According to Traidcraft, "Tetley, PG Tips, Typhoo, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea account for 72% of the UK tea market. All of them have taken steps to improve practice in the tea sector but so far none of them have become Fairtrade. If just one of these brands went Fairtrade it could make a real difference to the lives of thousands of small-scale farmers and workers."

That's why Traidcraft, in partnership with the Women's Institute, has launched its Make it Fair campaign, encouraging people to fill out postcards addressed to the Big 5 tea companies, asking them to go Fairtrade. The postcards are available from the Women's Institute, Fairtrade groups or you can send an online postcard by going to  http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/get_involved/campaign/make_it_fair

Traidcraft is also promoting The Big Brew - a national initiative encouraging schools, churches, workplaces and any other organisation, to host a Fairtrade tea party event anytime during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010.

·         buying Traidcraft Fairtrade tea                                                     

·         campaigning with Traidcraft for more Fairtrade products

·         supporting Traidcraft’s vital development work through donations.

For more information go to http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/get_involved/churches/how_churches_help/Get_involved_Churches_Big_Brew

There are many verses in both the Old and New Testaments which speak of God's desire for justice and his abhorrence of exploitation and oppression of the poor and disadvantaged.  As Christians Fairtrade is a practical expression of our love for and obedience to God.  Fairtrade Fortnight almost always falls during Lent - why don't we, on an individual and a church-wide level, embrace the Big Swap and Make it Fair campaign as part of our discipleship this Lent?  It would be great to see every church in Peterborough a Fairtrade church, and for each of us to make at least one swap to Fairtrade, not just for Lent, but for life!

Moyra Arnott                                                                                             

Werrington Fair Trade Group - part of St John's with Emmanuel parish church 

PS I would love to hear from other groups or individuals in Peterborough involved in Fairtrade.  Perhaps we could share ideas, encourage each other and work together to build up Fairtrade in the city.  If you are interested or already involved in Fairtrade please email me on ian.arnott@talk21.com or ring 01733 573630.  Thank you - and Happy Swapping!