News

Fair Trade in the News at Thornhill - (26/06/2008)

george 'The Arts included in Thornhill' Project (TAIT) was invited to host a visit from BBC broadcaster, Mr. George Alagiah. Mr. Alagiah is Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation and was in the North East to celebrate Fairtrade Week and the City of Sunderland’s fair trade status award. He watched a film starring Tony, a Year 9 pupil, taking the part of an African farmer explaining how essential Fairtrade is to the survival of Third World producers.

After talking with TAIT pupils Mr. Alagiah said: “When I look back at my education, I get images of Oxbow lakes, but now pupils like the ones here are learning about what’s happening outside their community. Some of these kids probably won’t ever visit countries like Ghana, but they are willing to put their minds into the minds of others around the world. That wouldn’t have happened 40 years ago.”

Fairtrade ensures farmers receive an agreed and stable price for the crops they grow and providing additional income to invest in the future.

Ryan, of Year 7, said about Mr. Alagiah’s visit: "I’ve had lessons on Fairtrade and now I buy it. It helps people in Africa. No-one should be treated differently because of where they live.”