Traidcraft Exchange, based in Team Valley, Gateshead, is the UK's only development charity specialising in making trade work for the poor in developing countries. The donation enables the charity to run the second phase of a project in Tabora, Tanzania, which aims to help bee keepers obtain Fairtrade and organic status, allowing them to earn a higher price for their honey.
The Tabora region is one of the most isolated and deprived regions of Tanzania and for people who struggle to make a basic living from farming, the production of honey is a vital source of income. The extended project will work with 700 beekeepers, directly benefitting almost 3,000 people.
Benfield Motors Charitable Trust is a local grantmaking trust, supporting both community projects and programmes in the company’s areas of operations as well as a small number of overseas development programmes. This donation is part of a growing relationship with Traidcraft Exchange and follows previous grants of almost £16,000.
"We are delighted to be supporting the next phase of this vital work to further the development of the Taboran beekeepers' initiative," said Mark Squires, chair of the trust's grantmaking committee.
"Having seen the success of the pilot stage, we wanted to play our part in delivering positive sustainable change for the people of that region. Our association with Traidcraft offers a unique opportunity to give to projects overseas, through a relationship with an organisation who are local to us and provide regular updates. This makes our giving all the more rewarding, meaningful and assured."
Paul Chandler, Chief Executive of Traidcraft, said, "Support of this nature is vital to the work of Traidcraft Exchange, so we are extremely grateful to Benfield Motors Charitable Trust for their ongoing commitment. Their generous grant enables Traidcraft Exchange to extend our work with African beekeepers and help more people to get better livelihoods and a fair wage."
The project has helped beekeeper Henry Mugao, who has been able to building a new home for his family because of the money he earns from keeping bees.
A good harvest of quality honey and wax meant he has built a new home for his wife, Mary, and their seven children.
"I have been able to buy livestock to help with the ploughing and have made a cart," he said. "Also I am starting to build a house for my family."
Henry was among the beekeepers who attended a training workshop organised by Traidcraft Exchange.
"The workshops are really good and need to be run for many more beekeepers."
With the help of Benfield Motors Charitable Trust, this will now happen.
For more information contact Emma Clark at Traidcraft on 0191 497 6462 or email media@traidcraft.co.uk.
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Notes to editors:
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Traidcraft is the UK’s leading fair trade organisation and has been fighting poverty through trade since 1979.
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Supported by its unique structure – a trading company and a development charity working together – Traidcraft has made a real difference to the lives of thousands of producers and their communities.
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Traidcraft Exchange is currently managing 14 major international development projects with a total value of about £5.5 million. These projects are directly benefiting 350,000 poor people overseas, with a further 1.4 million indirectly benefiting.
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For more information about Traidcraft, visit our website at www.traidcraft.org.uk
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Funding for grants comes from Benfield Motor Group, a North East based and family owned motor dealer group, which allocates 5% of its annual operating profits for charitable purposes.
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For more information about Benfield Motors Charitable Trust, contact Vanessa Hodgson on vanessa.hodgson@benfieldmotorgroup.com or telephone 0191 220 1700.
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High resolution images of Henry Mugao are available on request from Traidcraft – telephone Emma Clark at Traidcraft on 0191 497 6462 or email media@traidcraft.co.uk.
