at the Swiss Business Council Christmas Market,
Abu Dhabi - December 2018
Sabeena Ahmed
Hello!
My name is Sabeena Ahmed.
I'm a fairtrade campaigner, educator and social entrepreneur.
I was born and educated in Manchester, UK.
I'm a World Fair Trade Organization Ambassador, an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization, a Badiri Academy and School for Social Entrepreneurs London fellow, World Pulse Ambassador and a qualified PGCE ESOL Practitioner.
I adore fairtrade chocolate and support breast cancer research.
I promote the sustainable development goals, a fair trade ethical lifestyle and am an advocate of the circular economy.
Below is a summary of my most successful fairtrade activities and campaigns in the United Arab Emirates since 2008.
Here I am talking about Fair Trade
By sheer chance after a coffee with Ms Arwa Hassan Al Qassim of Dubai Culture I was politely asked if I would like to be a guest panel speaker at the SheTrades MENA Launch. I said YES!
Many thanks to Dr Ashraf Mahate Chief Economist at the Government of Dubai and Dubai Exports and Ms Al Qassim Dubai Culture for providing me with a platform to talk about my passion FAIR TRADE.
Watch the video of the official launch here
All copyright and ownership of this video is owned by Dubai Exports and the Dubai Government
To read more about SheTrades and The Mena Hub Launch click here.
The Little Fair Trade Shop which was established during Ramadan 2008.
I knew that this was my calling and vocation.
The Little Fair Trade Shop mission and core values:
Our mission is to promote self-reliance, empower artisans and their local communities and give them the dignity and respect they so rightly deserve.
We support Fair Trade producers through the sale of our Fair Trade products.
We stand for social trade and justice. In the UAE we are pioneers and aim to ignite the same passion in others.
Our supply chain is transparent. It starts with the producer and ends with us. Every step of the way a good thing is being done.
We chose Fair Trade because we want our customers to feel happy knowing they have purchased a beautiful product which has been produced by an extraordinarily talented person and in turn supported a sustainable business, a community and the environment.
For over 11 years I have been retailing gorgeous fair trade gifts in my home city of Dubai UAE and I am so excited to be able to bring those products to you through the power of the worldwide web.
The Little Fair Trade Shop E-Commerce store relaunched Spring 2016.
The silk and jute fair trade butterfly bag
My husband Faisal and I had the good fortune to visit Fair Trade Egypt Cairo 2009 and it was there that I purchased my first Fair Trade product – a gorgeous butterfly pattern silk and jute bag.
Faisal and I were completely overwhelmed when we were told about the Tora Women’s Group who live in the garbage collectors area of Cairo and produce the bags as a means of empowerment and sustainable income.
Inspired by this simple act of humanity we decided to purchase their bags for The Little Fair Trade Shop inventory and dedicate our efforts to trade justice.
To read more about The Little Fair Trade Shop click here
The Little Fair Trade Shop began its maiden retail voyage at the Dubai Flea Market, September 2008.
Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop celebrate
World Fair Trade Day 2nd May 2009, Dubai, UAE
Beautiful fair trade products
Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop celebrate
World Fair Trade Day 2nd May 2009, Dubai, UAE
Customers were overjoyed to see authentic range of hand embroidered wall hangings and wooden handicrafts lovingly made by artisans at Fair Trade Egypt.
The Little Fair Trade Shop first started trading at the Convent Garden Market, Jumeira Beach Residences and completed two seasons 2009-2011.
The Little Fair Trade Shop at the Convent Garden Market Dubai, December 2010
Dr Samier admiring a St Marys embroidered wall hanging, December 2010
The Little Fair Trade Shop aspires to work and engage with consumers of all ages and backgrounds, expatriates, educators, parents and young Emirati's to create awareness for the fairtrade movement of the United Arab Emirates.
It is our aim is to organise social events and educate the youth about fairtrade, sustainability and ethical consumerism.
It also traded at the Ripe Organic and Craft market until from October 2011 to January 2013 and consciously traded at specialist events such as the Festival at Masdar, the Swiss Business Council Christmas Market, WOMAD Abu Dhabi, DUCTAC and the Arabian Travel Market.
The Little Fair Trade Shop at the Masdar Institute, near Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates - January 2016
There is an absence of market activity and presence during 2013-2016 when Sabeena's mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and she returned to the Almighty April 2016.
Ms Claudine Maagar and Sabeena Ahmed at the Swiss Business Council Christmas Market 2018
Christmas Chalets
For two weeks each year, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to celebrate the people who grow our food, people who live in some of the poorest countries in the world and who are often exploited and badly paid.
As the only fairtrade campaigner in the United Arab Emirates since 2008 I have been supporting fairtrade fortnight and hope my blogs will inspire others to get involved and support fairtrade.
This year the Fairtrade Foundation are focusing on the people – in particular the women – who grow the cocoa in the chocolate we love so much.
This years Fairtrade Fortnight Campaign is She Deserves.
She Deserves - Don't Feed Exploitation Choose Fairtrade
£1.86* is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve a living income.
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.
I'm campaigning with millions of others for a living income to become a reality for cocoa farmers in West Africa.
Change can happen if we tell governments, chocolate companies and retailers to make the commitments and policies necessary, then we can make it happen.
Dates: Monday 24 February - Sunday 8 March 2020
Happy and proud to support female cocoa farmers like Rosine Bekoin of the CAYAT Co-operative, Côte d'Ivoire.
Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -
Fairtrade Foundation UK Resource Fairtrade bag
Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE -
Thank you Brenda, Tvisha, Ashwarya, Padmini, Edwige, Deborah and Julia.
The gorgeous ladies celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight Dubai 2019
To read my blog about Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE kindly click on the link here.
Edwige celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE
SHOW OFF YOUR FAIRTRADE LABEL AND SUPPORT FAIRTRADE
Sabeena Ahmed celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight 2019, Dubai, UAE
Rosine Bekoin is a mum of five, cocoa farmer and member of CAYAT co-operative in Côte d’Ivoire.
Rosine is slightly unusual as cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire go because she owns and runs her 2.5-hectare farm, which was passed to her from her mother.
Normally it is men who own farms and earn the income from them. Rosine first sold her cocoa as Fairtrade in 2016.
You can watch Rosine's interview below.
Ebrottié is married with 6 children, and has been farming cocoa since 1992. He is also the General Secretary of his cooperative, CEAA.
Credit and Source: The Fairtrade Foundation UK
To read more about Fairtrade Fortnight 2020, Dubai, UAE click here
I have been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011.
The World Fair Trade Organization's Communications team asked me to share the names of inspirational women in my life for International Women's Day Video Challenge 2020.
The 2020 campaign hashtag was #SheEmpowersHer.
I have attached my video challenge below for you to watch at your leisure.
I chose to mention 4 ladies and invited them to continue the video challenge.
Ms Christina Longden - The Lorna Young Foundation
Ms Samini Bibi - Sabah Pakistan
Ms Roopa Mehta (Apa) - WFTO President
Ms Moon Sharma (Apa) - Tara Projects, India
To read more about my video chain challenge kindly click here.
Sadly, I was unable to interview Mathew, Ms Jacky Bonnie or the producer groups on this occasion and hope to interview them the next time I visit.
Sadly, the Peoples' Choice Award was suspended.
Many thanks to Sian Conway and Jo Salter for their dedication and tireless work to make the Be The Change Awards successful.
To read more about Fairtrade and the SDG's kindly click the link here.
Many will consider it ambitious but I hope to establish a fairtrade educational and interfaith network in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
I was invited by primary school teachers Ms Aoibhan Barry and Ms Zoe Wilson to conduct a fairtrade workshop with children aged 9-12 yrs at The Star International School, Mirdiff, UAE, April 2015.
It was a success and The Little Fair Trade Shop raised over 700 AED for fairtrade producers in Nepal who had lost workshops and studios during the earthquake.
Many thanks to the teachers and pupils who purchased fairtrade products and supported producers in Nepal.
Students admiring fairtrade recycled gifts at the Preston University, Ajman
Thank you to the Head of Fashion and Design Mr Saqib Sohail for his support and assistance.
Year 5 and Mrs Mercer - Manor Primary School, Dubai
April 2018 and 19 I was invited to judge 5 social enterprise businesses at the Middlesex University Dubai.
Many thanks to Shanthi Rajan, Sandra Stevenson, Suzannah Fernandes and Dr Michael Kloep and Dr Cody Paris for their hospitality.
It was a difficult decision as all the social enterprises were winners.
Congratulations to the 2019 winners Pentagon and their initiative Mihriban for their concept and vision.
Congratulations to the 2018 winners Papersco for their ingenuity.
Sandra Stephenson with Shanthi Rajan and winners Pentagon at the Middlesex University Dubai - Social Enterprise Showcase April 19
Dr Cody Paris announcing the winners at the Middlesex University Dubai
Social Enterprise Showcase April 18
Dr Cody Paris, Sandra Stephenson and Shanthi Rajan with the winners PapersCo at the Middlesex University Dubai Social Enterprise Showcase April 18
Social Enterprise students at the Middlesex University Dubai
Social Enterprise Showcase April 18
Sabeena Ahmed with Shanthi Rajan at the Middlesex University Dubai
Social Enterprise Showcase April 18
To read more about the Social Enterprise Showcase please click here.
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.
During fairtrade fortnight 2017 I was fortunate to meet Nadiya Hussain and
Jo Malone 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!
Late December 2016 I received a message from the World Pulse team that I had been selected as a World Pulse Vision Mentor.
I was paired with the inspirational Joanna Smiejka, an autism specialist and trainer.
My Change Maker is Joanna Smiejka from Warsaw, Poland
World Pulse Vision Mentor Update - May 2017
Joanna visited Dubai October 2017 it was her first visit to a Muslim country and she enjoyed her stay.
We had a great time and she thoroughly enjoyed her visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Jo eating a delicious date filled with pistachio
Joanna at Dubai Creek
Jo enjoying the beautiful Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
February 2019 I applied to become an ambassador with World Pulse.
My World Pulse Video
World Pulse believe women hold the power to create global change. They connect them.
World Pulse are an award-winning social network connecting women worldwide for change.
By harnessing the power of technology, the organisation helps to create a world both online and off where women unite to share resources, launch movements, start businesses, run for office, and courageously tell their stories.
A world where all women thrive.
I have always wanted to live a simple, zero waste, minimal lifestyle which reiterates my philosophy of Fair Trade and Ethical Living.
As an ethically conscious consumer I've purposely chosen not to purchase clothes, home ware and cosmetics that don't support my values and ethics.
Over the years I have supported many charities, a good example of raising awareness about food inequality was with Practical Action. I participated in their Live Below The Line 2014 campaign. I believe I was the only participant based in the UAE.
It is has been a pleasure to support the efforts of Adopt A Camp Dubai established by Sahar Shaikh.
I invested in the worlds fist ethical phone the Fairphone2 2015 and recorded a video blog review about my Fairphone 17,418.
The Six Items Challenge has been a part of my life since 2012. It has been a pleasure to support the Labour Behind The Label Team.
Live Below The Line 2014 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
To read about Isatou Ceesay's visit to Dubai, UAE kindly click here.
Over the past 3 years I have discovered, tried and tested many zero waste bathroom alternatives.
Organic Loofah instead of a plastic one
Organic handmade soap instead of hand wash
Herbal Tooth powder instead of toothpaste
Bamboo Toothbrush instead of plastic tooth brush and
Miswaak (cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree)
and
Organic Herbal Shampoo.
To read more about my efforts to live a Zero Waste Life kindly click on the link here.
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
