CHARLES HARRIS SPEAKS/WRITES

Charles Harris, associate Methodist minister in Long Hanborough and Sutton in Oxfordshire, recently visited a range of Fairtrade enterprises in Sri Lanka. He had been scheduled to give a presentation of his adventures at the Corn Exchange in Witney in May, but this occasion fell victim to the coronavirus. Hopefully, the presentation will take place later in the year. For the moment, Charles gives an outline of his experiences. 

During February, I had the privilege and joy of visiting several Fairtrade projects in Sri Lanka. The country is beautiful; as part of the trip we saw elaborate churches, temples, and other colourful buildings. Plus wild elephants in the national parks - a glorious and memorable sight.

The places I went to were outstanding in their care for the workers and the morale of the people was incredibly positive. On one tea plantation high in the hills, the workers live in a communal village with free accommodation. I was amazed to see that the income from their product was providing a fair and good wage for each family.

The village has an elected committee with access to funds to improve the living conditions of its people. The committee had set up a nursery school which we also visited. It was a place full of fun and laughter. 

We also visited toy manufacturers, rope producers, and a spinning and weaving operation. Local women were working under shelters in a garden, operating looms the like of which I have seen in English museums. Yet, they produced magnificent cloth for clothing manufacture. This small project was employing and supporting mothers from a rural village, women who would otherwise have been destitute. Their children also benefited through educational grants.

It was fascinating to see one small factory produce not only coconut for cooking, but also for coconut oil (from the inner layer of skin), and rope (from the husks). Nothing was wasted and the whole process was managed with ecological precision. 

 

In one farm shed, cotton was being dyed, a process that required careful organisation. Fairtrade had ensured that all the items used were ecologically safe. One chemical essential to the process was subsequently filtered and purified. Water from this procedure was rendered clean enough to irrigate the farmers’ crops. 

These are only a few of the fantastic things I saw being achieved. Do not forget that the world is still there, very much alive.