During a producer visit to India in 2013 I was introduced to a group of women in a small farming community who had dramatically changed their lives through Fairtrade.   They had heard of a women-grown coffee from Africa, and, in a dramatic break from local tradition had worked to reproduce the success in their community.  Taking control of small plots of land they were instantly empowered; improving production, quality, and, in turn, household income.   They said the difference Fairtrade has made on their lives was staggering.

This was in dramatic contrast to a number of other small communities I visited where the Women’s empowerment program had not yet reached. These visits were dominated by men-only meetings, the women coming out only to provide food, before retreating back inside.   

I was inspired by the first meeting, have frequently talked about the
Women's empowerment program since coming home, and am still inspired by the experience.   

Thus I was truly humbled to learn that my colleagues at the Fairtrade Foundation chose a present which touched my heart - a chance to ensure the education of one female student from that community.  This amazing gift was matched by Fairtrade Alliance Kerala who provided matching contributions in order to fund the education for one farmer's child each year for the next ten years.

I posted this on Facebook after the presentation, still humbled, and simply wanting to share...   A few of my friends have asked if that can
contribute, so I am taking the opportunity to see if we can expand this
personal leaving present into a true legacy for my eight years at Fairtrade. Please donate and share this as wide as possible to see what we can do, together, for the women and girls who I only glimpsed during my trip.