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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stephen Norris

Kirkcudbright Fairtrade Group raises more than £200 at coffee morning

Kirkcudbright Fairtrade Group raised more than £200 at its coffee morning on Saturday for its chosen Shared Interest project in Ghana.

Fairtrade stallholders also made £350 from sales of everything from coffee to a door mat made out of recycled plastic flip-flops.

Farmers, growers and makers in the developing world benefited from each sale because under the Fair Trade banner they receive proper payment for their produce.

Organiser Carol Ryall said afterwards: “It was a good turnout considering the weather was terrible.

“We did very well and raised £200 to send out to Ghana.

“We would like to thank all those who helped – those who put up posters, the cake makers, the kitchen and door staff – as well as all those who came to sample the hot drinks and bakes.”

Shared Interest is an ethical investment organisation which alleviates poverty by helping people in remote and disadvantaged communities to trade and earn a living.

It lends to organisations that follow Fair Trade Principles and is currently supporting a number of projects.

Katherine Naylor with a doormat made from recycled flip-flops (Jim McEwan)

Kirkcudbright Fairtrade Group chose Helping Women in Ghana Farm without Soil – an initiative supporting 120 female Ghanaian basket weavers establish a vegetable farm.

Carol added: “We are looking for people to volunteer to help us with future events.

“If anyone would like to help they can get in touch with us via the Kirkcudbright Fairtrade Group Face book page.

“We hold a number of events promoting Fairtrade during the year so even a few hours of support is always welcome.”

In eastern Ghana around 54 per cent of the population live below the poverty line.

Agriculture is the main employment but yields are low and basket weavers’s income has fallen to £156 annually because of a decline in tourism.

The vegetable farm consists of simple nursery boxes – not labour intensive using less water and requiring little space.

A warehouse has been refurbished so the vegetables can be washed, sorted, and packed before being sold to local businesses, schools and hotels.

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