YOGAYUGA

I am sure some of you may ever heard about Fair Trade, which is organised by Crossroads Foundation. Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organisation serving global need.

Too often, those who toll to produce goods make little money from them. It’s bad news that middle men and retailers routinely take much of the profit, leaving little for the producers. It is worse news that, regularly, they buy at a price which forces producers to sell goods below cost. Both can leave producers trapped in a cycle of growing debt. Both can see them plagued with poor working conditions, health problems, lack of education and damage to the environment.

Fair Trade is a growing trend that actively fights these problems and, to us, Fair Trade principles seem fair enough! They include:

Fair price, Fair share, Fair chance, Fair work, Fair growth, Fair deal, Fair care and Fair mind

Crossroads has goods from the third world countries sold in their Global Handicrafts Village, where is located in Tuen Mun. The goods on sale come from people who struggle, in their different countries, to emerge from economic hardship and challenge. An important aspect about trading fairly is that all items be purchased at a just price for those who have produced them. That is Fair Trade commitment to all their suppliers even when it means they cannot place a profit. It’s the way to help the people in poverty, and to help them to grow.

I took a mini trip of the whole Crossroads village under the guidance of their volunteer that I found the foundation is very unique and organised. Apart from the Global Handicrafts Village, the Foundation also collects donation from the local. They collect everything, brand new or second hand items. The related charity organisations of those third world countries will inform the Foundation what they need from time to time, then the Foundation will send all the items to those in need by ship once they have enough funding donated by individual or local big companies such as HSBC. All the empty containers are available in their village for shipping purpose and collection of goods.

The Global Handicrafts Village - all the handicraft items they sell for helping those in poverty under principals of fair trade deal.

Their Silk Road Cafe, where you can have snack and coffee. All the money you paid is for donation. It’s such inspiring atmosphere. I love it!

The empty containers are for the collection of goods, and ready to ship anytime. The goods I bought in their Handicraft village. They are Fair Trade coffee from Colombia, a necklace from Serbia, a wrist band from Mainland China. Every item has its own paper tag on it for the explanation of where those goods are from, and how they had been produced.

Here is the tag info for the necklace - Bread of Life cards and handicraft items are made by people who are trying to rebuild their lives in the struggling, post-war nation of Serbia. Many find it difficult to get work, even if they are highly skilled and experienced. Proceeds from these products contribute to the work of Bread of Life, and to the craftspeople and their families. Thank you for helping us to support them through your purchase! www.breadoflife.org.yu

How sweet! Isn’t it?

Overall, my day was good as I feel very fulfilled and inspired with what I experienced today. I am very much moved by the motivation of volunteers in Crossroads Foundation, therefore I can’t help myself to sign up to become their volunteer. I definitely will join them from time to time as long as they need volunteers for assistance and my time is available.

It’s hard to imagine that a non profit organisation can be so inspiring. They inspire you to think, to help and to learn how to live to the fullest.

In A New World Youth Arts Project from “Medecins Sans Frontieres”

“MSF” in English stands for “Doctors Without Borders” It’s a non-profit, independent international medical humanitarian organisation founded by a group of French doctors in 1971. They deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflicts, epidemica, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care.

They are running an art project, “People power in a new world”, which allows 5,000 primary and secondary school students to create and exhibit their artworks in a public space. The participants decorated YAF tailor-made figures and at the same time learn more about Medecins Sans Frontieres. This exhibition is now running in Hong Kong. It’s amazing to see so many colourful tailor-made figures altogether. I was totally attracted by the powerful colour and the images. Many figures are in national costumes. They are from students of different countries. Some of them are against the wars carried with images of “No gun”. Some represent love and good health with no diseases.

They give away a plain tailor-made figure for every donation. I got one because I made my donation. The following is the idea of the figure creative direction. I love the meaning of it.

Looking at the map and you will find numerous lines dividing continents and nations. These boundaries involve constitution, religion and value according to human decision. Considering when you walk into the countries, you can never find the boundaries exist. No one can prevent the clouds from flowing from one place to another; and no one can stop a pollen from disseminating from one flower to another. Broaden our vision and we will find out that we all live in the same world.

Regardless of the location, MSF shares the vision to deliver medical aid to people as long as they are affected by armed conflicts, epidemics and natural or man-made disasters. MSF believes that all human beings deserve respect and dignity and should be treated as such. Everyone has the right to obtain appropriate medical treatment. MSF’s action breaks and passes through all invisible boundaries.

And this is mine….. it will be in COLOUR sooner or later…..