Fair Trade Clothing Production in Africa Andrew Post Scott Lamb Taylor White

Introduction Earliest fair trade production in Africa began in 1996 There are four major organizations that handle fair trade clothing in Africa Goals are to enrich the international marketplace while providing supportable living conditions for women and children

Motivation Clothing is a necessity of life. Fair trade is something that we know little about. Motivate us to become more conscious about where our products come from and how doing some little can have a huge impact on another person’s life. We want to be able to help the cause that fair trade is fighting for.

Why Wear Fair Trade Clothing? Most clothing available in stores has been produced with profits in mind. Most production companies who outsource their labor skills to under developed countries do so because the services these countries can provide is cheaper than what can be provided in most western countries. With fair trade clothing everyone is rewarded for their skills and no large faceless corporation has taken advantage of its people or the environment.

Organizations Involved Global Mamas - sells hand-made quality clothing created by women in Ghana. SHONA - they aim to create jobs for handicapped individuals in the country of Congo. Hooligans - a children’s clothing company that was created on the idea of free trade and equality located in South Africa

SHONA By paying 100% of the estimated profit from an item, SHONA rises well above all "Fair Trade" standards. SHONA is composed of craftspeople who have graduated from the Handicapped Center in Goma. SHONA interns are apprenticed to veteran SHONA craftspeople, and are provided with housing and food Learn to sew new products and master the level of quality control and attention to detail necessary for work in an international market

Global Mamas Coordinate the production of over 180 products in hundreds of designs for over 300 customers in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Ghana. Provide up-front payments for the production of the high-quality goods by providing raw materials. Obtaining of raw materials in bulk through a Raw Materials Revolving Inventory Fund resulting in reduced costs and increased product quality. Practical training in quality control, new product development, fair trade business management, computer literacy, strategic planning, bookkeeping and marketing.

Global Mamas Data Year`Total Revenue Collected Profit Paid workers Total JobsNew Jobs Created 2010$865,803$320, $725,809$243, $584,122$192,

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Closing Thoughts There is a lot being done. Communities are being helped. There is very little information out there, so it is very important to continue to spread the word about fair trade and fair trade clothing.