Working with the Community

When we started Global Fayre, we knew that community outreach would be an important element of our work here, but frankly underestimated just how rewarding that aspect of the store would be.

We give at least one Fair Trade talk mosts weeks; these talks are to a wide variety of groups in the community, from pre-schoolers to Red Hat ladies. Sometimes it involves us packing some interesting pieces and visiting them, but most times they come to the store and get a “Fair Trade Talk and Tour” as we wander around the store using some of the beautiful items we have here to highlight the various aspects of Fair Trade.

One of the biggest kicks we get is when people return after a tour, bringing others with them, so pass on the message. It’s especially great to see kids bringing their parents in to explain what Fair Trade is all about.

One local school we’ve worked closely with the is the Phelps Center for Gifted Education. They are part of the public school system in Springfield, and have something called the WINGS Program. WINGS (Working with the Individual Needs of Gifted Students) is designed to identify academically gifted students. The purpose of the program is to provide academic challenge and rigor as well as address the social/emotional needs of the gifted student. We’ve given a few talks now to students on the WINGS program, but this week two of the students turned the tables and brought in books that they had created to help explain Fair Trade. They had done a great job of conveying what Fair Trade is all about in an interesting and engaging way, and wanted to donate the books to the store so that we can use them with other students in the future.

The books are proudly on display behind the counter, and we’re looking forward to using them!

Here’s a couple of shots taken during their visit to present their work: