Have yourself a fair-traded Christmas
From Ghanaian chocolate to olives from Palestine, for nearly 25 years a small shop in Cardiff has supplied fair trade products from all over the world to churches, schools and customers. Now, Fair Do’s/ Siopa Teg has expanded to open an online shop in time for Christmas.
It means shoppers can buy products and support ethical shopping wherever they live. These include coffee from Uganda, Welsh language greetings cards made by young adults orphaned in Rwanda, and crafts from artisans with disabilities in Kenya.
It’s a landmark step for Jan Tucker, the shop manager, who began Fair Do’s while working as a regional stockist for Traidcraft and opened the shop in Canton, Cardiff, in 1998.
Jan says, “We are thrilled to be able to offer some of our many beautiful products online for the first time. One of the joys of working in the fair trade movement is the link with some of the farmers and artisans who grow or make the products we sell, and telling their stories to our customers. It is a privilege to be able to partner with so many amazing organisations, and work in practical ways for climate justice as well as fair trade.
“Since the shop began we have had several visits to the shop from producers - olive farmers from Palestine, rice farmers from Malawi, cocoa farmers from Ghana, coffee farmers from Uganda. This has been an inspiration to all of us involved in the work of Fair Do's.
“Over the years, we have increased the range of products we sell, and in particular it has been rewarding to work with people in Wales who import products on a fair trade basis from several countries (in particular from Africa and Nepal).
“One of the products that we are excited to be selling is Jenipher's Coffi from Uganda. There has been a strong link between Wales and the Mount Elgon region of Uganda, going back very many years.
“We have also had a lovely relationship over many years with Cards from Africa - handmade greetings cards made by young adults orphaned by disease in Rwanda. These very talented young people have made bespoke cards with Welsh greetings for us, with each card hand signed by the crafter.
“Life has been more problematic than ever for the producers in these times of worsening climate change and they need our support.”
Over the years, Fair Do’s /Siopa Teg has supplied products for stalls run at churches and schools. Jan is pleased to say that this service has just started up again, having been on hold for some time due to Covid.
“Churches and schools have recently been coming back to the shop to pick up products to sell on a sale or return basis, enabling them to run a stall in church or school,” she says. “As well as selling the products, our church and school 'reps' are wonderful ambassadors for fair trade and Fair Do's.”
- To do your fair trade Christmas shopping or to find out more, visit Fair Do’s / Siopa Teg