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Fair Trade
No parent dreams of their child working at a young age, missing out on school. But for Mark and his family of seven children in the Philippines, one income wasn't enough to provide for their basic needs. At seven years old, his son Paul carried the burden of work to give his other siblings a better chance in life.
As you dress your kids for playtime, barbecues and camp this summer, I invite you to consider some new strategies. Does your kids really need closets full of cheap summer items, when a few, carefully chosen quality items would do just as well?
I know that global trade is critical to raising many poor families out of poverty -- as in the Bangladeshi families noted above. But the economic model I want to see more of is one where strong local economies around the world are meeting people's needs in a sustainable and healthy way.
As much as I would love to spend a night in a yurt and eat off my own organic farm (preferably in a tropical location), I'm hardly an eco-hero, most of us aren't, even if we are making better choices and dedicating our time, work and efforts to caring and doing. BUT, there is a big difference between not being perfect, and being downright untruthful.
“You are what you wear. Today, it’s becoming more and more important to choose your apparel consciously and to make sustainable fashion choices.”
It's 2015, and yet there are no African brands selling in most North American stores, and where the raw materials are African, that message is not well-delivered or even sought-after. In the world of fashion, this represents a massive opportunity for fresh fashion ideas, business and growth.
Ottawa is enjoying a bit of an independent coffee revival that includes new cafes, small-batch roasters, and knowledgeable, artistic baristas. It's worth noting that this trend isn't just hitting the downtown core, but is also spreading to the suburbs and rural areas as well. East or west, downtown or outskirts, we've found some of the city's best coffee to quell your caffeine craving.
What's a cup of coffee anyway? Well in Canada, adults drink 2.8 cups per day on average. Worldwide, coffee is a multi-billion dollar industry that supports the livelihood of countless families. Our choices affect real people.
Kids' demands for fairness can be the ultimate challenge for any tired adult, especially when they can't see how all the pieces fit together. But their inherent sense of justice can also be a real gift, especially if we can show them how fairness can change the world.
I'm sure that many Canadians would feel a similar outrage, if asked what kinds of jobs their kids should be required to do. So on World Day Against Child Labour, World Vision is asking Canadians a simple question: if child labour is not acceptable in Canada, why should it be acceptable elsewhere?
