This month I had emergency surgery for a ruptured cyst,
was featured by Pioneers Post,
participated in my eighth Six Items Challenge 2020 with Labour Behind The Label and
celebrated Earth Hour Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
I was admitted to hospital after a few weeks of excruciating pain in my left ovary.
After a CT scan I was told I had a cyst and required urgent surgery.
My cyst was removed 17th March 2020.
My consultant informed me that the cyst had ruptured and had welded itself to my colon and left ovary. He removed the white ruptured cyst cleaned me up. but could not see any signs of Endometriosis or PCOS due to inflammation.
I was in two minds about attaching photographs of my ruptured cyst and decided against it.
I was invited to a phone interview with the Global Editor of Pioneers Post.
The editor was interested to learn how the Future Learn course Social Enterprise Turn Action Into Ideas, September 2016 had assisted my growth as a social entrepreneur. I was happy to discuss my 11 year fairtrade journey and talked about the course and my participation in the International Social Innovation Pitch.
During the course I participated in the International Social Innovation Pitch and was awarded first place with two other ladies and would like to congratulate Palma Milicevic and Emma Butler.
I am grateful to Dr Sara Calvo for recommending me for the interview.
However, it does pain me to state that the team at Pioneers Post misinterpreted my comments and the the final edited article headline used for Facebook and Twitter was upsetting and frustrating to read.
I feel it is necessary for me to politely clarify that I was not a little lost as the article suggests but was grieving for the loss of my beloved mother who had passed away from metastatic breast cancer six months earlier when I enrolled on the MOOC.
The course was an opportunity for me to channel my grief and energies into my passion and fairtrade campaigns while I was healing.
It is important to change the narrative about Muslim women in society.
I would like to see more Muslim women visible in social entrepreneurship and dispel the many myths and stereo types associated about Muslim women, education and how Muslim women are perceived in the wider social entrepreneurial global movement.
Pioneers Post - How Online Training is Revolutionising Social Enterprise Start Support
Sabeena Ahmed supporting the Six Items Challenge 2020
with Labour Behind The Label, Dubai, UAE
Sabeena at the beach supporting the Six Items Challenge 2020
with Labour Behind The Label, Dubai, UAE
I'm participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label. This year the challenge commences
26th February - 9th April 2020.
I have decided to participate and support the Six Items Challenge for the eighth year because I started to campaign for garment and factory workers while caring for my mother who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
The six items challenge means I choose six items of clothing to wear for six weeks.
Don't worry!
This does not include under garments or exercise gear. You can wear an endless supply of these. :)
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.
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.
I hope to record vlogs and raise awareness about garment workers over the next coming weeks.
Best regards to all the Six Items Challenge participants.
Love and regards
Sabeena X
During the Covid 19 LockIn Dubai I managed to support Earth Hour Dubai 2020.
My living room - Earth Hour 2020, Dubai, UAE
Omani Lanterns - Earth Hour 2020, Dubai, UAE
Omani Lanterns - Earth Hour 2020, Dubai, UAE
It was a peaceful evening in unprecedented times.
Wishing everyone around the world health and happiness during the Corona Virus.
Please stay safe and stay at home for all key workers.
Sabeena X
Living with Endometriosis, PCOS - Sabeena Ahmed
Pioneers Post featuring Living in Minca and Sabeena Ahmed
Six Items Challenge 2020 (TBA)
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Sign up to get the latest on fair trade fashion.
I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
© 2024 The Little Fair Trade Shop. “We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”
The Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number 08189489
