My Fair Trade Journey - Sabeena Z Ahmed & The Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd

The Little Fair Trade Shop's visit to Zaytoun (Fair trade Palestinian products), London, UK - November 2016

 

I continue to meet fairtrade pioneers and organisations in the United Kingdom and support their work. I envisage working with Divine UK, Zaytoun UK, The Muslim Council of Britain, Women's organisations, members of parliament, social enterprises such as The Lorna Young Foundation, The British Council and fairtrade pioneers such as Café Direct, Equal Exchange, and many other fairtrade and ethical manufacturers, producers and artisans around the world.

Bruce Crowther MBE Director of The FIG Tree and Sabeena Ahmed, Garstang, UK - November 2016

 

I would also like to work with government departments and authorities, visionaries, philanthropists, business consultants, documentary film makers and anyone wanting to make a change in the world.

 

Meeting with Christina Longden, Ian Agnew and Abiyot Sherifaw of The Lorna Young Foundation

 

 

Fairtrade Related Activities 2008 - 2022

Fair Trade Goes Pink For Breast Cancer Research

Fair Trade and Breast Cancer Research and Support

My beloved mother the late Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano fairtrade supporter extraordinaire, Manchester, UK

During March 2012 my family received devastating news that our beautiful mother had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. After a long and courageous four year struggle with cancer my beloved mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano returned to her maker April 2016.

I remember one the last conversations I had with her where she said she was proud of me and gave her blessings for me to continue with my fairtrade work.

With her final words embedded in my heart and soul forever and I am more determined and motivated to continue to raise awareness for fairtrade and campaign for social and trade justice.

Without a doubt, I cannot deny that the past six years has put immense pressure on my personal and professional life and the business became a secondary concern.

It was my mothers strong determination and will to fight against this debilitating disease that I wanted to raise awareness about breast cancer research by supporting The Christie Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Night of Neon 10km walk for The Christies Cancer Specialist Hospital, Manchester, UK - October 2012

It is a honour and privilege to support fair trade organisations Friend's Handicraft and Maiti, Nepal who support and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking by designing and retailing handmade bags and home accessories.

The Friends Handicraft Ladies, Kathmandu, Nepal

100% of the proceeds of this beautiful totally bobbles fairtrade pink handbag are forwarded to The Christies Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.

https://www.thelittlefairtradeshop.com/products/handbag-pink-bobbles

Lisa coordinator of the Pink Caravan UAE modelling the totally pink bobbles fairtrade handbag

 

 

SHETRADES MENA HUB LAUNCH

I was invited as a panelist to talk about fair trade with Dubai Exports, ITC and the UN, February 2018.

 

All copyright reserved and owned by Dubai Government

 

 

 

Fairtrade and Professor Mohammad Yunus

Sabeena Ahmed with Professor Muhammad Yunus

While caring for my mother in Manchester I was able to attend a Social Business Conference hosted by the Salford University, United Kingdom and presented Nobel laureate Professor Mohammad Yunus a fairtrade ceramic plate produced by deaf artisans at Atfaluna Crafts, Gaza, Palestine. It was an inspirational day and one I will never forget. 

I also had the privilege to meet Professor Yunus again in Dubai during Fairtrade Fortnight 2018.

 

 

Fairly traded chocolates and meeting

Nadiya Hussain and Jo Malone MBE

During fairtrade fortnight 2017 I was fortunate to meet Nadiya Hussain winner of the Great British Bake Off 2015 and legendary business woman Jo Malone MBE at the Emirates Literature Festival and presented them with fairly traded chocolates and fair trade gifts.

 My dear friend Saima Tahqiq, Nadiya Hussain and

Sabeena Ahmed

 

Sabeena Ahmed and Nadiya Hussain

 

Fairly traded bean to bar chocolate lovingly produced by Bruce Crowther MBE at The FIG Tree, UK

Bean to Bar Chocolate produced by me and Bruce Crowther MBE

 

 

Jo Malone MBE and ME!

 

Fair Trade Breaks Poverty

Anti-poverty Week Dubai and

the United Arab Emirates

I have consciously worked hard to raise awareness for the global goals for sustainable development.

To mark the beginning of anti-poverty week 2016 I asked my good friends around Dubai to support the World Fair Trade Organizations campaign Fair Trade = No Poverty.

Using the concept of ‘Agent for Change’ (Fair Trade as an agent for change), WFTO’s formula to eradicate poverty: 

Fair Trade + Economic Opportunities = No Poverty  

For the campaign, the icons of Fair Trade Principle 1 and SDG goal 1 were implemented to represent the formula of change.

Saima Tahqiq and Me!

 

The World Fair Trade Organization started its global observance of anti-poverty week and asked other fairtraders to share their photographs.

 

 

My heartfelt thanks to Anna Sadeghpour for featuring The Little Fair Trade Shop to mark the beginning of anti-poverty week in the United Arab Emirates through her wonderful blog AnaHata Dubai's Community Service Blog.

 Agent for Change Anna Sadegphpour supporting the global goal for

sustainable development 1 No Poverty 

 

Many thanks to all my friends in Dubai particularly the Super Sisters Dubai for participating.

 Agent for Change Lamya Tawfik supporting global goal for sustainable development 3 Good Health and Well-Being

 

 Ellen Van Dongan - Creator of Responsible Shopping Dubai

 

Fairtrade and The Global Goals for Sustainable Development

The World Fair Trade Organization supports the following Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG1 - No Poverty

SDG2 - Zero Hunger

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 5 - Gender Equality

SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG13 - Climate Action

SDG16 - Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG17 - Partnerships for the Goals

 

 

 

Agent for Change Sajidah Ali

 

 

 

Irem Ahmed shows her support for SDG 2 Zero Hunger

at Madinat Jumeirah Dubai September 2018

 

 

 

Agent for Change Lamya Tawfik

 

 

 

Agent for Change Sajidah Ali

 

 

 

Agent for Change Yasmeen

 

 

 

Saima Tahqiq and ME!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helen Barlow-Scott and

the One Line Ethical Design Studio

 

Helen Barlow-Scott

Founder and Owner of The One Line Ethical Design Studio

I have been blessed to work with an equally passionate fair trade campaigner and expert multi-talented graphic designer who magically re-branded the out dated Little Fair Trade Shop website.

I approached Helen late 2015 when she first established The One Line Studio  and we have been working together on various fair trade online campaigns since.

Helen visited me in Dubai during 2017 and we celebrated fair trade fortnight together.

Sabeena and Helen celebrate fairtrade fortnight 2017

 

 

Raising Awareness about Fair Trade

Future Learn International Social Innovation Challenge 2016

 

During 2016 I enrolled on the Future Learn Social Enterprise 'Business Doing Good' course with the Middlesex University Business School and the Jindal Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

I  thoroughly enjoyed the course content and my participation with all the other candidates.

 

 

 

I also enrolled on the second course Social Enterprise: Turning Ideas into Action.

Lesson 3.11, all participants were asked to submit a video about their social enterprise and enter the International Social Innovation Challenge 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I won a my social pitch with three other ladies and would like to congratulate Palma Milicevic and Emma Butler.

Thank you to all the candidates who entered and voted for me.

Many thanks to Dr Sara Calvo Martinez, Jeremy Wade and all the other mentors.

I am very grateful to Dr Calvo for taking time out of her busy schedule to Skpye with me and write a letter of support for The Little Fair Trade Shop and the fair trade movement of the United Arab Emirates.

 

 

 

SIX ITEMS CHALLENGE 2012 - 2022

WITH LABOUR BEHIND THE LABEL

For the past 10 consecutive years (2012 - 2022), I've been participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label.

As an advocate for fair trade, equality and justice the need to support garment workers receive a fair living wage and decent working conditions was paramount.

A living wage is a human right and raising awareness about garment workers and their working conditions has been challenging.

 

   

I have made a conscious effort to write and record the challenge in English and Urdu in the hope that the Asian Community in the UK and internationally will think about supporting fair trade and ethical brands that have transparent supply chains, provide living wages and are support climate change/sustainable initiatives.

 

IN MEMORIAM

 

 

 

 

 

I'd also like to congratulate Labour Behind The Label for their 20th year anniversary.

WHO ARE LABOUR BEHIND THE LABEL?

Labour Behind The Label is a campaign that works to improve conditions and empower workers in the global garment industry.

The garment industry turns over almost 3 trillion dollars a year.

Yet garment workers, 80% of them women, work for poverty pay, earning as little as 68 pounds a month.

Human rights abuses are systematic throughout the industry.

Poverty wages, long hours, forced overtime, unsafe working conditions, sexual, physical and verbal abuse, repression of trade union rights and short term contracts are all common place in the clothing industry.

It is an industry built on exploitation and growing under a lack of transparency that makes holding brands accountable difficult.

We are dedicated to changing this.

Labour Behind the Label supports garment workers’ efforts worldwide to improve their working conditions and change the fashion industry for the better. We represent the Clean Clothes Campaign in the UK.

Source: Labour Behind The Label website

 

THE SIX ITEMS CHALLENGE 2022 

The six items challenge means I choose six items of clothing to wear for six weeks.

 

This year I hope to up-cycle some of the clothes my mother purchased for me before she passed away.

It is a long term ambition to design a fairtrade slow fashion collection in memory of my beautiful mother Mrs Meshar Mumtaz Bano and support fair trade certified cotton farmers, sustainable and ethical producers.

My beloved mother was a great advocate for women's empowerment and education.

I believe she would have been happy and proud of me to continue my campaigning for the millions of countless individuals producing clothes and accessories in factories and workshops around the world.

Hopefully by the end of the Six Week Challenge I would have educated a few people and raised a few pounds/dirhams.

 

 

WHAT IS FAST FASHION?

Fast fashion is a term the fashion industry uses to entice consumers to purchase new trends, products and accessories every six to eight weeks. Some collections can be produced within a 12 day time frame.

Most of the products are cheap, poor quality and mass produced by workers in factories, work shops around the world.

Workers are paid low salaries, endure long hours and work in poor conditions to support their families.

Many are as young as 14 are the only bread winners and often forfeit the chance of a decent education and future

Many factories use hazardous chemicals to dye their fabrics and this water is discharged into rivers and the sea polluting eco systems and depleting fish stocks.

 

 

WEEK ONE - Introduction to the Six Items Challenge 2022 (English) 

 

WEEK TWO - WHO ARE LABOUR BEHIND THE LABEL? (URDU)

 

WEEK TWO - What is Fast Fashion? (Urdu) 

This video was recorded for the Six Items Challenge 2021

 

WEEK THREE - Labour Behind The Label, Matalan Campaign in English

 

 

WEEK FIVE - The Six Items of Clothing (English)

 

 

WEEK FIVE -  Six Items of Clothing (URDU) 

 

WEEK SIX -  Thank You! (English and Urdu) 

 

 

Sparkle, sparkle and totally not me.

 

I interviewed Yasmeen at the Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmans Colony, Karachi, Pakistan during March 2015. Yasmeen is originally from Balochistan and is determined to raise the profile of Balochi traditional embroidery. I am honoured to support her and her business.

Yasmeen - entrepreneur, designer and advocate

Interview with Yasmeen at the RLCC, Karachi, Pakistan

 

 A wonderful and inspirational interview with Yasmeen about her work, designing and home life

 

Odylique vegan, organic and fairtrade make up

 

WEEK 1 - 1 March 2017...

 

  

Fair Trade at the Royal Society of Arts

During Spring 2013 The Little Fair Trade Shop's two short films were listed on the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) website supporting a series called 'Pakistan Calling.'

The two interviews are attached below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mentoring with World Pulse

Joanna Smiejka - Poland

(World Pulse Digital Change Maker) visits

Dubai, UAE

World Pulse

 

I was surprised by their message as I didn't believe I was qualified to mentor anyone.

During October 2017 my friend and World Pulse Digital Change Maker Joanna Smiejka came to visit me in Dubai and we celebrated Anti-Poverty Week 2017

We had a great time and she thoroughly enjoyed her first visit to the United Arab Emirates. I hope there will be many more!!!

 

INTERVIEWS

I am grateful to Jo for recording these interviews in English, Polish and being a great sport at teaching me Polish and learning Urdu.

We hope you will enjoy them as much as we did recording them. 

 

Jo and Sabeena's introduction for World Pulse!

 

Jo's interview in English

 

Jo's interview in Polish 

 

Jo and Sabeena learn teach each other Polish and Urdu

 

Jo and Sabeena say goodbye

 

 

  

Jo relaxing at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

 

Jo and I supporting Anti-Poverty Week 2017, Dubai, UAE

 

 

Jo supporting the 10 Principles of Fair Trade

 

About Joanna

Joanna is a qualified lawyer, behavioural psychologist and Austim Spectrum educator and trainer.

I met Jo online while mentoring for the World Pulse Digital Change Maker Programme February to June 2017.

Joanna is passionate about teaching, travelling and photography.

She hopes to establish the first Austim Spectrum Centre in Warsaw Poland in the near future.

I wish her every happiness and success! 

It was a pleasure having you stay with us Jo. We look forward to seeing you again very soon.

  

 

 

Campaigning for Fair Trade

The Muslim Council of Britain

Dr Jamil Sherif, Mrs Sabeena Ahmed, Mr Alistair Menzies (Traidcraft UK) at The Muslim Council of Britain - November 2016

During November 2016 I arranged a meeting with The Muslim Council of Britain, London, United Kingdom to discuss how fairtrade could be adopted by their 500+ affiliates.

I am very grateful to Dr Jamil Sherif (Senior Advisor), Mrs Nasima Begum (Media Officer) at The Muslim Council of Britain team for their time to meet with me. I would also like to thank Mr Alistair Menzies of Traidcraft (established in 1979 a pioneer in fair trade) who travelled down from Gateshead to attend this instrumental meeting.

Mrs Sabeena Ahmed, Mr Alistair Menzies at The Muslim Council of Britain - November 2016

The meeting was positive and The Muslim Council of Britain very kindly agreed to promote fairtrade producers at their event ''Visit My Mosque Day'' which is scheduled February 2017.

I wish them every success and hope that more mosques, Islamic centres/societies, women's organisations, parents, educators and interfaith groups with support fairtrade in their city, place of worship, workplace and educational institute.

To read more about my visit to The Muslim Council of Britain and Zaytoun please click on the link below.

https://www.thelittlefairtradeshop.com/blogs/news/november-2016-newslett...

 

 

 

 World Cancer Day (2017 - 2022)

I was distraught and grief stricken when my beloved mother passed away from metastatic breast cancer.

My mother was my paradise, my first school of thought and my rock.

To heal from the grief I decided to record my first vlog for World Cancer Day 2017 and educate the Pakistani/Indian community in the UK and abroad to self examine their breasts, conduct genetic testing and talk about cancer.

Early January 2017 I found a lump in my left breast and immediately made an appointment to see my breast consultant. Luckily, my lump was a cyst and it was removed successfully.

Due to a history of breast and ovarian cancer in my family my consultant advised that I take the BRAC1 and BRAC2 genetic testing. I do not carry the cancer gene.

Self examination is the key to early detection of cancer and survival.

I would like to reiterate that all women who have a history of cancer in the family should attend their annual mammogram and pap test.

I am hoping that by recording this video I can reach out to other ladies in similar situations and Pakistani/Asian carers who would like a listening ear and some moral support.

It is my aim that the Pakistani and Asian community talk openly about cancer and support those instead of giving them a death sentence. Cancer is a taboo subject and its so important to dispel the myths surrounding it.

Below is my first video for World Cancer Day 2017, I have continued to write about cancer every year since.

 

World Cancer Day 2022 (English)

 

World Cancer Day 2022 (Urdu)

 

 

Shoulder Surgeries and Invisible Disabilities 2017-2022

During March 2017 I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder, I ignored it at first but the pain grew unbearable where it became difficult to dress myself, after intensive MRI scans and further medical tests the orthopaedic consultant recommended I should have rotator cuff surgery which took place November 2017.

My recovery was slow and challenging, unfortunately a year later during October 2018 I had the same rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder.

The left shoulder did not heal as well and my healing was very slow causing immense stress and frustration.

I was devastated as I knew this was a setback for the business and there would be an absence at markets and exhibitions and I would miss talking to my loyal customers.

Since 2017 I have continued to campaign for fairtrade by using my writing skills to blog and share  my work on my social media handles.

In March 2020 just before the global Covid-19 pandemic I was admitted to hospital after a few weeks of excruciating pain in my left ovary, I was diagnosed with a ruptured cyst and required urgent surgery. The photographs are too graphic to post.

My cyst was removed 17th March 2020. This was my third polycystic ovarian surgery since 2004.

Its been a long 5 years of excruciating pain, sleepless nights and slow healing.

I still have bouts of low energy, pain and anxiety and cannot type or write for long periods of time.

In January 2022 I had further injections to relieve the pain in my left shoulder.

I am still healing and I'm trying to keep positive.

Thank you to all my friends and family who have sent get well wishes.

I decided to write about my personal experiences of chronic pain and invisible disabilities as a social entrepreneur in a blog and recorded the video below.

 

This blog has been a labour of love with a purpose to educate and inform others in the hope that it will empathise and be not quick to judge others because many disabilities are invisible.

 

The Badiri Social Entrepreneurial Programme, (BSEP), NAMA Women Advancement Establishment and the School for Social Entrepreneurs London and Cornwall 2018/19

During May 2018 I was accepted onto the Badiri Social Enterprise and the School for Social Entrepreneurs Scholarship Programme 2018/19, UAE

Sally Heard CEO School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall and Sabeena Ahmed at the Badiri Academy, NAMA, Sharjah, UAE - May 2018

 

NAMA Women Advancement and Establishment was established by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.

The Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme, and the Badiri Education and Development Academy aims to boost, reward and showcase the spirit of female entrepreneurs and develop their skills enabling them to successfully participate in the economy locally and globally.

School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) has 10 schools operating across the UK and a further two international schools in Canada and India. SSE has worked with over 1000 social entrepreneurs each year by educating, guiding and supporting them with the knowledge they need to start up their social enterprises. 

Photo credit: NAMA and the Badiri Academy

The Badiri Social Entrepreneurship Programme BSEP delegates will be the first cohort of SSE collaboration expanding across the Arab region.

I am eternally grateful to the NAMA and Badiri Academy for their support in my fair trade work and campaigns.

 

Graduation Presentation and Ceremony

The 21st January 2019 was a day I will never forget.

I finally completed the international scholarship programme with the Badiri Academy, NAMA, and the School For Social Entrepreneurs London and Cornwall, UK.

I presented my graduation presentation and received my certificate.

Many thanks to Lina Hamdan, Kylie Dickenson, Jo Van Osch (my amazing mentor), Amy Babor and Sally Heard for their kind words of support and encouragement.

I praise the Almighty Allah subhana wa'tala for giving me the strength and courage to complete the course.

I missed my parents and hope they are proud of me.

Thank you to my husband for supporting me over the past 10 years.

 

Photographs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My Graduation Presentation

 

 

Awarded Feedspot badge for top 25 Fair Trade blogs on the web

During May 2018 I received a message from Anuj Agarwal, founder of Feedspot to say that I'd been selected by panelists as one of the Top 25 Fair Trade Blogs on the web.

I've attached part of his email below.

 

Common Purpose and the

Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Program (PDLP)

London, UK, 2019

I decided to apply for the Common Purpose UK Pakistani Diaspora Leaders Program as a means to raise awareness for Muslim female social entrepreneurs, fairtrade and the World Fair Trade Organization and the fairtrade artisans.

It was an interesting week learning about the other peers and connecting with other Pakistani leaders and supporting their work and initiatives.