Witches Haven

Fair Trade

The following pages are dedicated to the concept of Fair Trade products. Tossing money to under-developed countries simply does not work regardless of Bono's rhetoric and attempts to guilt various Western governments into dumping funds into the hands of ruthless dictators.

That is where our tax dollars end up; in the bank accounts of murderers, rapists and despots. Try asking your MP for an accounting of the billions of dollars funnelled in the name of humanitarian aid to third world nations. He will have no idea; his higher-ups, will have no idea.

I refuse to donate money to the "Third World" charties; most of whom are religious in their affiliations. I don't want my money emblazoned with a crucifix, thanks very much.

So what to do? Obviously, no one can sit, idly, by and watch people die for the want of hope. For lack of food and clean water.

Tossing money is our cure-all and it simply doesn't work. Look at the failure of that tax dollar bleed-out, welfare. It traps people. It doesn't offer a chance for a better life, it simply tells them that it is fine to take money from those who earn it. It is charity and charity has long been known to rob men & women of their dignity.

Well, there is a way to offer hope and a chance for survival. Fair Trade.
Below are links to Fair Trade sites. Anything in bold typeface and
underlined is a direct link to a site offering either information
or a place to do business under a Fair Trade Agreement.

Transfair Canada is a place for you to start;
learn what philosophy is at the foundation of the
Fair Trade concept.
Learn to recognize the logo so as not to
be fooled by the unscrupulous and
greedy.



Rogers also offers a completely kosher product line.





Fair Trade Store. If you don't have the option to
choose Fair Trade items and a lot of people do not, based
on where they live. Here is an online option.



Watutu are Fair Trade products from Zanzibar. Don't take my word
for it, click on the link and take a look.




Ten Thousand Villages is another option. This one has physical
locations as well as the online option for shopping.

Equator is a Canadian company specializing in
Fair Trade Coffee, teas and YUP - CHOCOLATE. The image
and their name are directly linked to their site. Give them
a look-see.




President's Choice is now offering Fair Trade products in their stores.
We tried some of their Fair Trade coffee, an African blend. Oh
babies, it was wonderful.

Please, if you come across any other Fair Trade certified merchants, online or off; send us the link.

Let's do something positive on a personal basis. We may not be able to influence our politicians as the throw our dollars away but we can help, each of us, through buying conscientiously and with heart.

Next: Caveat Emptor

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