Out of AfriKids
March 2010
AfriKids is a Child Rights Organisation working to improve life for Ghana’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in a holistic, inclusive and sustainable manner
Beneficiaries of Operation Fresh Start—Contributors to AfriKids Ethical Trade initiatives
Special edition— AfriKids Ethical Trade AfriKids’ sustainability projects are income-generating initiatives. It is these projects which create local business and will financially sustain the child rights work of AfriKids Ghana, beyond the planned closure of AfriKids UK in 2018. A beneficiary of Operation Zuarungu crushing Shea nuts. This will eventually become Shea butter; a cosmetic product
AfriKids Ethical Trade (AKET) aims to be an exemplary trading body, advocating fair wages, healthy and safe working conditions, and 100% transparency and accountability in all operations. AfriKids recognises the potential in trade to be a tool for effective, sustainable development through dignified income generation. A multi-tiered division, AKET incorporates into many of our existing operations. The project aims to promote the wealth of natural resources and local expertise in Ghana to the local and international market. AKET is a logical investment for AfriKids, capitalising on existing skills and resources, and the advantage of the AfriKids infrastructure. Beyond the financial return, investments into AKET yield social and promotional rewards to the producers, the organisation, and the communities in which we work. Profits from the sales of AKET products are ultimately the source of these investments, further enabling independent community development and support. Each prospective AKET venture is meticulously reviewed against the criteria of our long term vision. Projects are assessed against various aspects of feasibility, from profitability to local resources and the environmental implications of international trading. It is vital that each business partnership involves a common ethos for development through empowerment and sustainability, and that each project has a lasting, positive impact.
Out of AfriKids inside stories Creative Minds—A group of blind or visually impaired individuals contribute to AfriKids Ethical Trade programme Creative Minds is an inspirational co-operative group of people in Bolgatanga, the capital of Ghana’s Upper East Region. The group of blind or visually impaired individuals began working together in 2005 as a part of the AfriKids funded Street Mothers’ Association. The members were living in the most desperate situation, many of them sleeping and begging on the streets with dependent children and relatives. However many had had training in weaving when they were younger and finding that they had difficulties, and strengths in common they decided to form a professional group and came to AfriKids for help. Because of the group’s visual impairment they find it particularly difficult to manoeuvre themselves around the market seeking trade. So AfriKids has now rented the weavers a workshop and store and are committed to the running costs of the business until it produces enough profit to fund itself. The group have named the store ‘Creative Minds- Disability
is Not Inability’ and produce among other things baskets, chairs and doormats. Having received individual interest free micro-finance loans from AfriKids in late 2005 which the group were able to invest in the materials, they are now doing a steady trade and have been able to make tangible changes to their families’ lives. Most members have used their income to put their children into school and enter the National Health Insurance Scheme which entitles their families to free healthcare for a small annual fee.
AfriKids Ethical Trade will be sold at UK Aware! SPECIAL OFFER: Save up to £9 on entry to UK AWARE 2010 with AfriKids Ethical Trade Friday 16th and Saturday 17th April at Olympia 2, London Come and see AfriKids Ethical Trade at UK AWARE - the UK's only green and ethical lifestyle exhibition. An expected 15,000 visitors will be attending this ‘one stop shop’ for sustainable living, with attractions including:
AfriKids is offering tickets for just £6 in advance (£15 on the door).
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Over 50 world class guest speakers Over 200 exhibitors The Green Machines Expo The Green Business Start Up-Surgery The Ultimate Clothes Swapping Party The Morsbags interactive area Kids Interactive area
Buy discounted tickets here
Not only will you save up to £9 on entry to this great event, but you will be supporting AfriKids at the same time!
Fundraising
Thank you for your help!
Help us to raise money throughout March SAVE OVER £8 on a gift of fair trade pyjamas, bodycare and chocolate for just £29.99!
AfriKids Ethical Trade have teamed up with Visionary Soap and Divine Chocolate to provide the perfect solution to an ethical gift! Each purchase of an AfriKids gift package directly supports Ghanaian artisans and producers, and the continued child rights and community development work of AfriKids, which benefits over 100,000 people across the north of Ghana.
AfriKids’ Communications and Events Manager is running the Brighton Marathon for AfriKids! On April 18th, Lissa Wallington will be running 26.2 miles to raise money for AfriKids’ projects. The furthest Lissa has ever run is a 10k, so she needs all the support she can get! She will be taking part with 9 other committed supporters—Kerry, Olivier, Nick, Jeegar, James, Mike, Matt, Lizzie and Alex. Many thanks to all of you! If you would like to sponsor Lissa please go to her Just Giving page or feel free to ring her on 02074435113! www.justgiving.com/lissarunsbrighton