Why does Fair Trade need a Middle Man?

We have been questioned, sometimes even criticised, for using a middle man to help with the import of fair trade goods from Rwanda. Some people naively question the issue, worrying about the middle man taking a cut from the women’s wages.

From a fair trade perspective, however, having a middle man to help with the import of fair trade goods is crucial to the success of a fair trade business and the sustainability of such a project. Here’s why…

1. A Middle Man can check quality – many of our Rwandan crafters cannot recognise the quality needed for sales in UK shops, but a well trained middle man can help with this.

2. A Middle Man can check things are running smoothly on the ground – Fair Trade companies cannot be on the ground all of the time (unless they have an endless budget!) But they still need to check on product production and the well being of the co-operatives.

3. A Middle Man can advise on what products may be successful – some well trained middle men can make product recommendations based on international trade, many craftewrs won’t be aware of fashion and the international market.

4. A Middle Man means that you can collect goods from a wider range of co-operatives, widening the range of people you can support.  In-country specialists will know the co-operatives that need support better than you do!

5. A Middle Man know how to ship items and work within the tax systems – It is extremely important for companies to work within the systems of import and export. The bottom line is that, if it is not done properly, it is probably breaking the law!

These 5 important reason to have a middle man highlight the crucial role that a such a person can play in a fair trade company’s supply chain. This is even before language barriers and practicalities have been considered!

Fair trade is not about giving women the highest wage that you can for a one of sale. It is about giving a sustainable wage over a long term. Therefore, sustainability is the key to successful fair trade that will lead to poverty relief. It’s always nice if we can go to another country and buy goods to help someone. But wouldn’t it be nicer if we could guarantee a certain number of sales for many years to come? And help another local Rwandan to earn some money in the process!

At Kigali Crafts our middle man is Abraham Konga. Based in Kigali, Abraham shops around for products for us, and visits other cities such as Gitarama. A high percentage of the population in Gitarama are genocide survivors, and Abraham helps us to access these communities. He also reports back to us on the circumstances of women in the co-operatives, and how much they receive directly for the goods that they make.  We then use the fair trade online calculator to check that the wage is sustainable for the artesans.

The key to a good middle man is trust. And, of course, all fair trade producers have the duty to visit co-operatives that they support themselves, to ensure that they are receiving a fair wage. This is much easier when you have a friendly and positive multi-lingual Rwandan businessman as a guide!

3.

Book Review – ‘Africa Doesn’t Matter’ by Giles Bolton

I recently read the fantastic book Africa Doesn’t Matter: How the West has failed the poorest continent and what we can do about it. Giles Bolton provides an informative and easy to read analysis of the the way that the West has tried to help Africa, and discusses the reasons why many attempts of many charitable projects have been unsuccessful.

In Africa Doesn’t Matter, Bolton provides an excellent historical and political insight to why so much poverty exists in Africa. He has experience as a diplomat and NGO worker in East Africa and uses Rwanda to exemplify several points about international development.

I loved reading this book, because it really gets to grips with long term aid, arguing that working with governments and collaboration is the way forward. Giles Bolton raises some fascinating questions and gets to grips with some tough issues in a way that is understandable and relevant. Are the Millenium development goals achievable? How did intellectual property law prevent many African people receieving AIDS medicine? What effect do the American farm subsidies have on farmers in Ghana?  What is the African ‘brain drain’ and how is it effecting development in Africa? If you want to know the answers to some of these questions, you simply must read this book.

Africa Doesn’t Matter presents these difficult issues in such a way that you become drawn into the book. When you are given chance to be ‘president for the day’ in a fictional African developing country, you start to understand the true problems of African government, even when a democracy is reached and countries are not going through periods of war and unrest. Bolton then draws on the importance of working within the plans of African governments to achieve what they want to achieve, rather than what the West wants to spend money on!  Giles Bolton successfully demonstrates how the way we do international development has to change in order to make a difference.

Giles Bolton successfully argues that one person CAN make a difference by voting with their feet and standing up for what they believe to be right. People can also make a difference by giving money, NOT STUFF, and making sure that money goes into charities with established long term plans that fit in with the goals of the country that they are striving to help. Giving ‘stuff’ just encourages dependency on Westerners, and does not encourage long term development on a country.

Through reading Africa Doesn’t Matter we have started to move forward with new ideas for Kigali Crafts. Our future plans include working with the Rwanda Development Board and Campaigning and Lobbying. As you will see from reading Giles Bolton’s book, these are the things that really can make a difference on a bigger scale.  Perhaps charity status is still something that we should still try to apply for, given the work that we do…

Thank you Giles for your insightful account that has been a great influence and support to us!

Amy Trumpeter

Hello from Kigali…and from 100 women! By Rory Dillon

The first time I met Amy, I was really inspired by the idea behind Kigali Crafts. I believe that when there are more links between developed and developing countries, that both sides of the bargain are better off. So, when I heard from someone who was prepared to be a risk-taker and to set up a business that would support vulnerable women in Rwanda I was first intrigued, then fascinated.

I told Amy I’d be happy to support her in any way that I could soon I was telling all my friends about Kigali Crafts and setting up stalls with my fiancée, Hannah. As well as selling crafts in the UK, Amy and I began plotting for me to work directly with suppliers in Rwanda. This summer I have taken the plunge and travelled to Kigali.

A big problem for Kigali Crafts is the amount of money it costs to ship handicrafts out of the country. Rwanda is landlocked so a container has to travel hundreds of miles of windy roads, across the border to Dar Es Salaam before it can get to Britain. Amy usually sends her stock via DHL, so I can help her simply by simply becoming a (legal) handicrafts mule. I have been to visit Abraham’s shop in Kigali and picked up a bagful of baskets. I have also been able to find out more about the co-operatives they work with.

Last weekend, me and Rob –  another friend of Kigali crafts – spent the weekend at Red Rocks, a guesthouse in Ruhengeri. Red Rocks is owned by Amahoro tours, a company we are planning to work with in the future. The guesthouse was really great – the walls were covered in murals and there were loads of nice little touches like the curtains made of traditional Rwandan materials and the eco-beer fridge.

The site has a local co-operative who weave baskets – which I hope could be an opportunity for Kigali Crafts. We got to spend a morning, with the women learning how make baskets – Marie-Helen said I was a natural but I think she was pulling my leg.

As well as volunteering for Kigali crafts, I am also working for an NGO called ATEDEC which specializes in setting up co-operatives just like the one’s Amy supports. Since I arrived, I have been working on a project initiated by my fellow English volunteer, Caroline. The 100 women project will set up co-operatives in jewellery making, banana leaf handicrafts, hair weaving, second hand clothes and small agriculture. (pic)

The beneficiaries are amongst the most vulnerable in Rwanda – all earn less than $1 a day, over half are HIV+ and many are forced into sex work to increase their income.

The project will be funded by individual donations so please help us by donating at our global giving page (http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/inspire-and-empower-100-rural-women-in-rwanda). Please read Caroline’s blog (http://anniesrwandanadventure.blogspot.com/2012/06/100-women.html) to find out more about the story behind 100 women. Check our ATEDEC Facebook page or ATEDEC website for more details about our progress.

I have been privileged to work with Amy to support women, who now have, thanks to Kigali crafts, the means to help themselves. if our 100 women project can help women in the rural region of Nyamasheke to achieve the same it will change the lives of a community for the better.

Why is Sustainability Important?

Why is Sustainability Important?

Sustainability is a buzz word which is used a lot by politicians, but what does it actually mean? Sustainability is about long-term responsibility. People are beginning to realise that we can no longer continue to exploit our planet and expect it to continue to support future generations. Businesses are increasingly focusing on ensuring that their companies are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. It is important not just to make profits in the present, but investing in the future as well. Sustainability is an issue that is increasingly becoming important to customers, who wish to know that the goods they are purchasing are not having detrimental social or environmental effects.

Kigali Crafts is currently working hard to successfully reach sustainability . The British Association of Fair Trade Shops  (BAFTS) has recently acknowledged Kigali Crafts’ efforts by awarding it fair trade status. Many of Kigali Crafts products are made of environmentally sustainable products, such as grass and clay.

Kigali Crafts is also working hard on social sustainability and ensuring that the people who produce their beautiful craft products are given a fair living wage, which they can use to help support their families. We are only able to achieve this by the support of some of our partner charities and projects including Build Rwanda and Azizi Life. By teaching people the crafts, account management and internet skills, Kigali Crafts is not just helping these people at present. These valuable skills will be fed back into the communities and ensure that the Rwandan people do not just see white people as a source of unlimited wealth. Visit our website to find out more about Kigali Crafts and their sustainable work.

Written by Victoria Jenkins and edited by Amy Trumpeter

York Fair Trade Association Talk – Post Genocide Partnerships: The challenges and successes of Fair Trade with Rwanda

Many thanks to the York Fair Trade Forum for inviting Kigali Crafts to their AGM. Amy Trumpeter, The Managing Director of Kigali Crafts will be giving the following presentation…

Post Genocide Partnerships

 

The challenges and successes of Fair Trade with Rwanda.

Illustrated talk by

Amy Trumpeter

Managing Director of

Kigali Crafts, York

5^th September 2012

Refreshments and Stall 7.30pm

Talk 7.50

Denham Room, Priory Street Centre, York

 Preceded by York FT Forum AGM at 6.45pm

If you are interested in attending this event, you can contact us for further information, or just just turn up at the Priory Street Centre for 7.30pm tomorrow. All welcome, we look forward to seeing you there.