HomeHUNGRY....

In honor of the 2 months I have been away from home I would like to celebrate in a, perhaps, unconventional way. I would like to share with you the thing I miss the most (that is, second most, after those I love): FOOD! I don't know why, but my homesickness has manifested most voraciously in thinking about what tasty delights I can't wait to savor once I'm home. So, following is a copy of the list I have started in the back of my journal of all of the foods/restaurants I have craved while being in Ghana:

Sweetwaters' donuts
Daal and Masala Chai (preferably Nupur's...but Balucchis would do)
Bagel Mill
NYC fried Egg Sandwich
Marisol's Mole
Home baked cookies
Greasy pizza
Mocha with extra whipped cream
Cafe Habana
Q-doba
Breakfast at Food Dance
Penne Alla Vodka at Sotto Cinque
Green Curry
Enchalada at Cinco de Mayo

And the number one thing I talk about and crave.....
TREATSTREET ICE CREAM!!! (Coldstone comes in a close second)

HAHAHAHA!

Okay....I will sign off now that I am officially hungry for home.
Much love to you all...see you in 2 and a half months!

Far from Fair Trade

First, I apologize for my absence. It is not for a lack of substance, but perhaps the abundance of (and lack of internet access) that has kept me from writing. I have had so many fascinating discussions with the other volunteers, employees and artisans here that have proved to be fertile ground for further deliberation.

One topic of discussion that is particularly exciting and at the same time frustrating for me is why Fair Trade is not as popular in the US as it is, say, in the UK...especially when it comes to fashion.

I believe that it is because Fair Trade and capitalism can not play nicely together. It is not in the Fortune 500's best interest, at least on the surface, to pay hundereds of overseas workers fair wages because then the CEO's would not be able to afford the standard of living to which they have become accustomed.

In a society where planned obsolesence and low prices prevail, it would not do any of the giant retailers any good (so they think) to have quality products manufactured by fairly paid crafts-people. Our corporate structure and consumer nature wants the newest, the fastest and the cheapest, and fair trade policies just don't fit here.

So while "green" has become the new black, I fear that it might be some time before we can jump on the truly ethical production line. While the UK can have brands such as People Tree, which works to have both fair trade and eco-concious products in a variety of fabrics and treatments produced in several locations around the world; non-profits like Global Mamas are struggling to make fair trade work in one fabric, in one corner of the globe. And it is truly a shame that such a "forward thinking" country that is supposed to be the "leader of the free world" can't even consider consuming in a way that would actually work to improve the "oppressed" countries by providing them a fair global market.

When I work with the women of Global Mamas, I am impressed by their head strong nature, to work until the product is perfect. But, it makes sense that they would be willing to work so hard since Global Mamas is paying the individuals what amounts to about 5 times the living wage of Ghana (and they are still free to have their own clients outside of GM). And, it is not easy work. I have included a picture of me learning the batik process, where the stamps are carved by hand, and the fabric is stamped and dyed by hand as well...all with the discerning eye of true artisans.

When you take this into consideration, wouldn't you rather pay a little bit more to have a product that you know will last much longer than your average $5 t-shirt, and the money will be going to pay several people a proper living wage, instead of 1 corporate big-wig enough money to buy a new jet?