Local schools are teaching students to think outside their country, through the 10,000 Villages Coffee House.
Products from communities around the world were for sale in Bonnyville on Wednesday, Nov. 8, as Bonnyville Centralized High School (BCHS) hosted their annual Coffee House and Fair Trade Market.
The event has been a local tradition for over 10-years, teaching students, staff, and residents about the importance of thinking twice about what they buy.
“Not everything we buy is made in Canada. They learn about where the money goes, who it goes to, and where it is made. All of those things get them starting to think about what kind of products they are buying, who is getting the money, and how many people are making money off of buying just one product. This helps get rid of the middleman. The money goes back to the artists who create these products,” said Lesley Ann Etter, teacher at BCHS and organizer of the event. “It teaches them to think globally.”
Kendra Moore is a Grade 10 student at BCHS, and was selling Rafiki bracelets at the event.
“They are made by women in third world countries. All of the proceeds from these bracelets goes back to them,” she explained.
By selling the product, Moore has learned that she is helping more than just one woman, she is helping a community.
“Their way of life is not as ideal as they would want it to be. By doing this, it allows them to have just a little bit extra,” added Moore.
Fellow BCHS student Erika Tienhaara was also selling products. Her product of choice was scarves.
This was Tiernhaara's third year participating in the coffee house. The Grade 11 student said she loved the opportunity to lend a hand to those in need.
“I think it's great because of what the money goes towards. This year, it's being used to build a school in Kenya, and that's really important,” she expressed. “In a way, doing this is giving other kids a chance to go to school.”
Teachers also get on board with the event, taking the opportunity to teach their students about fair trade.
“I think people are getting behind the idea of fair trade and teaching youth what it means to be socially just,” said Etter.
The event is put on by the BCHS Impact group and the H.E. Bourgeon Change committee.
Etter said the turnout speaks volumes about how residents feel towards fair trade.
“The community really got behind the idea of the fair trade market,” she expressed.
Doreen MacGillivray attended the event just like every other year. Her children at one time participated in the market, selling fair trade items just like the dozen or so students that participated.
“There are some fabulous products, and the kids are doing some great work through Impact,” MacGillivray said, adding she generally takes the opportunity to get some Christmas shopping out of the way.
She agreed that teaching youth about fair trade was important for a number of reasons.
“It's global learning. You are helping everybody. With the Fair Trade Market, they're learning that it's people from other countries making it so they can make a fair living,” said MacGillvray. “It teaches them about compassion and to help other people.”
