Students and Staff at Coleg Ceredigion recently took part in a unique series of events to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.

As part of the organised activities, students got the opportunity to take part in various tasks and presentations to raise awareness of decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Over seventy students and staff raised £103 by taking part in a 3-mile sponsored walk to the Cilgerran Wildlife Centre, via the old train track of the Cardi bach, which is now a pubic footpath. Adrian Varney, Construction tutor at Coleg Ceredigion, who organised the event said: “It was great to see so many students and staff taking part and to help raise money for this cause.”

Some students also took part in a competition to design a Fairtrade t-shirt, whilst others got involved by designing posters, baking, making cards and by setting up and manning a stall selling gifts and Fairtrade products from Zimbabwe, making sales of £455 for Fairtrade producers in Zimbabwe. Students from Aberystwyth’s Independent Living Skills took part by selling traditional Welsh cakes baked using Fairtrade-sourced ingredients, in a specially organised coffee morning to raise money for the campaign.

One of the highlights of the week was a presentation and a batik workshop by Fairtrade producer Martha Musonza from Love Zimbabwe. “I think young people are naturally tuned in to a philosophy of fairness”, commented Sarah Wright, Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Co-ordinator at Coleg Ceredigion. “Students at the college are enthusiastic and creative about supporting Fairtrade Fortnight, and are always interested in meeting Fairtrade producers, like Martha Musonza from Love Zimbabwe.”