Pupils from four schools across Bath recently enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Fairtrade products as a result of a series of visits arranged by the University of Bath.
The University of Bath, Accommodation and Hospitality department, visited four Bath schools during Fairtrade Fortnight, 24 February to 8 March.
Over 530 pupils from St. John’s Catholic Primary School, Oldfield Park Junior School (pictured above), St. Gregory’s and Prior Park College listened to Gloria Talavera González, a Fairtrade coffee and cocoa producer from Nicaragua, as she told them about the differences it has made to her family’s life.
While Gloria spoke in Spanish, her words were translated into English by Elena Pavan Macias, MA Interpreting and Translating student.
The pupils were informed how the University of Bath maintains its Fairtrade accreditation by promoting the use and sale of Fairtrade products, such as food and drink items ,across campus, communicating the Fairtrade message to students and staff and organising numerous Fairtrade events throughout the year.
Gloria explained how Fairtrade has positively impacted upon her life by giving her a standard wage and how the Fairtrade premium empowered Fairtrade co-operatives to improve their communities’ living conditions, such as providing clean water, electricity, repairing rural roads, building schools and health centres.
The pupils had the chance to ask Gloria questions, including a student at Prior Park school commenting, “I really enjoyed the Fairtrade talk from the University – to see how a Coffee Cooperate worked in Nicaragua was so interesting and I had no idea of the impact Fairtrade has on these societies. We also really enjoyed seeing the translator from Bath University work and our Spanish teachers keep mentioning it in lessons!”
All the school’s completed a Fairtrade Art Poster Competition to win a bag full of Fairtrade treats and the winners were announced at the end of the assembly.
The University of Bath holds a series of events and activities every year for Fairtrade Fortnight. The assemblies were partly funded by University Alumni, ahs and PoLIS department.