"If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime". We have learned that this old adage is true and when it is applied to the women, it is ten fold. Women plant and nurture seeds of change for their entire communities and for future generations' health care, education and opportunity. Fair Trade gives them those seeds by paying above the market price for tea.
I've noticed over the last 10 years a growing understanding of the important role that women play in the cultivation of healthy and productive communities.
Although this concept is not new, it seems to be having a renaissance as is evidenced by the high profile girls'- education projects around the world. For example, Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute, which focuses on girls' education and about which the book "Three Cups of Tea" was written. Also, Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit last January, while leading a Human Rights and Fair Trade trip for a group of girls from my high school. The girls we met there were sharp and inspired and gracious and so full of motivation to make their world a better place. They immediately connected with the girls from the US and I would not be surprised if those relationships were long-lasting and fruitful.
Two weeks ago, the New York Times Magazine was titled, "Saving the World's Women", and witnessed powerful accounts of ways women in Pakistan, China and the US are making positive changes for themselves and for future generations. Accounts were given of how, Goretti Nyabenda of Burundi transformed her life with a $2 micro-loan; how Hilary Clinton and the Obama Administration are making women's rights issues an important part of their international agenda; and how "the oppression of women worldwide is the human rights cause of our time... their liberation could help solve so man of the world's problems, from poverty to child mortality to terrorism."
Partners Tea Company aims to empower and inspire women of the world to be a part of making a positive difference in the lives of the women who pick our teas and their developing communities. We do this by bringing artisan quality Fair Trade and Organic teas to the gift, gourmet and bridal markets. Sharing a cup of tea is one of our oldest simple pleasures- it brings health, a moment of peace and a bit of vitality. Sharing a cup of Fair Trade and Organic tea brings health, peace and new opportunities to women around the world.
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