Monday 24-02-2020 - 14:30

Hello Students and welcome to Fairtrade Fortnight 2020!

What is Fairtrade Fortnight you might ask?

For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks and who grow the cotton in our clothes, people who are often exploited and underpaid.

From 24th February to 8th March you can join TSDSU in our annual campaign when we bring the fight for change to the masses. In 2020, we are continuing our call for cocoa farmers to earn a living income, as well as sharing stories that show the positive impact that only Fairtrade has on the women behind your chocolate bar.

In 2019, Fairtrade Fortnight focused on the people - in particular the women - who grow the cocoa in our chocolate. Currently, a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p** a day. Almost all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty.

For the women, the situation is even worse. They may plant and harvest on the farm, look after children, carry water, collect wood, cook and clean for the family, and transport the cocoa beans to market but often with fewer rights than men.

This is why we are campaigning for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa. If we can work together with governments, chocolate companies and retailers to make the commitments and policies necessary, then we can make it happen.

 

How can you get involved?

For the entirety of Fairtrade Fortnight, all over the campuses in Carmarthen and Lampeter, TSDSU have hidden ‘Story Bombs’ for students to find and uncover stories to learn more about the impact of Fairtrade on the lives of women cocoa farmers like Edith and Therese. Inside each story bomb is a beautifully illustrated booklet as well as two bookmarks for the first two finders to keep. Once you've found one, please read, share and rehide. We would also love to know if you did find one by tweeting #SheDeserves and #TSDSU on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

 

Events:

 

Secret Hot Chocolate Pop Up

26th February (Carmarthen Campus)

3rd March (Lampeter Campus)

Come and find the SU at a ‘secret’ location where you can buy a Fairtrade Hot Chocolate for £1.80. This is the minimum amount a cocoa farmer needs to live on, but in reality, the daily wage is 76p. All proceeds go to the Fairtrade Foundation.

 

How Much Do You Really Know About Chocolate? Quiz

‘Y Llofft’ - Carmarthen Campus @ 7pm

Join us for a fun quiz night all about our favourite sweet treat! Entry is 50p per person or £2 for a team of 4. The winner will win a delicious Fairtrade Chocolate Hamper! All proceeds will go to the Fairtrade Foundation.